Italy's Matteo Berrettini on Sunday
became the first Italian to win Queen's, and the first debutant
to conquer the traditional curtain-raiser for Wimbledon since
Boris Becker in 1985.
The 25-year-old Roman's win over Briton Cameron Norrie was also
his maiden ATP 500 success.
World no. 9 Berrettini was top seed at Queen's and prevailed
over world no 41 Norrie by 6-4, 6-7(5/7) 6-3 in an hour and 58
minutes.
It is his fifth career win and second this season after a clay
court victory in Belgrade in May.
"I don't want to offend the other titles, but this is the best,"
he told Italian TV.
"I have achieved a dream I had as a child, I used to watch this
tournament on telly when I was little.
"It's been an incredible week. Tough game, I thank everyone.
"Norrie was great, he is a very great fighter, I'm sure his
first career title will come soon".
Berrettini, who gave world number 1 Novak Djokovic a scare in
Paris recently, said the result gave him a "significant
injection of confidence" for Wimbledon, which runs from today to
July 12.
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