There was little to separate the pair across the first two sets, with a tiebreak required in each. But Sinner’s form and greater experience showed in those two most pivotal moments, easing to a two-set lead despite Berrettini barely putting a foot wrong on serve.
With the curfew cut-off time of 11PM approaching, Berrettini put in an excellent display in the third set, breaking twice to halve the deficit and take Sinner into an unwanted fourth.
It was another close stanza, with the players exchanging breaks before a third tiebreak was required. Berrettini knew that if he won it, the match would almost certainly have been suspended overnight and resumed as a one-set shoot-out tomorrow.
However, Sinner made it three breakers from three as he again tightened up his game when it mattered most to knock out his compatriot and return to the third round.
“First of all, we are very good friends. We play Davis Cup together, sometimes practise together. So you know, it’s obviously very tough that we had to face in the second round and in such an important tournament,” Sinner said in his on-court interview.
“But today was a very high-level match. I think we both played really well. Three tiebreaks, I got sometimes a bit lucky, but I take it for today. I want to thank everyone for the support, it’s been amazing. It’s quite late, so yeah, thanks for staying.
“I think we spoke with the team quite a lot – I knew that I had to raise my level today if I wanted to play even level with him. He played final here, he’s a grass court specialist. So I was looking forward to it, I knew it would be a challenge to come on court.
“I’m very happy with how I handled the situation. There were some little ups and downs which is normal in four or five set, so yeah, I can be happy. Let’s see what’s coming in the next round.”
Sinner, ranked No 1, will play Serb Miomir Kecmanovic next.
In the previous round of The Championships, Jannik Sinner defeated German Yannick Hanfmann (6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3).
Berrettini, ranked No 59, won against Hungarian Marton Fucsovics (7-6 (3), 6-2, 3-6, 6-1) in the previous round of The Championships.
London (Grand Slam), other second-round results (All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, grass, GBP 50.000.000, most recent results first):
