Berrettini is second-seeded at the match while Musetti is fourth-seeded. This is the first head-to-head match for the two players.
Berrettini is coming into the finals after winning against Mackenzie McDonald 3-6, 7-6 (2), 6-3. He had suffered a foot injury and had to ask for a medical time-out. He would later admit that his team considered having him retire.
“I don’t even know how I did it,” Berrettini said. “I wasn’t feeling very good. I asked for the physio because my foot was hurting. It happened so many times in my career that I had to fight through so many things, not just thinking about the tennis ball.
“I didn’t want to retire. My team told me `I think you should stop.’ But I tried and I found a way.”
The match lasted 2 hours and 25 minutes.
Musetti for his part downed Miomir Kecmanovic 6-3, 6-4. “I’m enjoying playing with this beautiful view, on this beautiful court, a lot,” said Musetti post-match.
“I think I’m playing my best tennis on hard courts for sure. I’m serving really big, I’ve only [conceded] a break once in three matches and I haven’t lost a set.”
“I’m feeling confident, especially with the serve, and I’m returning pretty well, so I think I did a lot of improvements from last season.”
“Tomorrow we will be rivals for the time on the court, and for the time off the court we will still be friends, for sure,” said Musetti.
“Especially in the last part of the year, we have shared a lot of memories and times together. Especially at the Davis Cup, but even at tournaments, we practice a lot together. Even here, today. So we are really close, and tomorrow is going to be a really tough one for both. The winner will take all, but for sure the friendship will remain.”