Finalist at Wimbledon last year and winner in Stuttgart last week, Berrettini (10th in the world) confirmed his great form on this surface nine days before the start of the London Grand Slam stage.

He even became the 4th player only to reach the final of 4 grass tournaments in a row with Andy Murray, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

"I didn't know that," he said, surprised.

"It's quite nice. Obviously I can't compare myself to these three players, but I'm trying to learn from them and hopefully one day I can surpass them," he added.

In a meeting delayed an hour due to rain, he gave van de Zandschulp (29th) no chance, despite a big loss on break points: only three converted out of 15.

This almost played a bad trick on him in the first set where the Dutchman made up his late break to come back to 4-5.

But the 26-year-old Italian took over his commitment in stride.

At 6-4, 3-2 and break point to follow in favor of Berrettini, the game was interrupted a second time by the rain, to the great displeasure of Van de Zandschulp.

Matteo Berrettini exults after his victory over Botic van de Zandschulp at Queen's, June 18, 2022 Adrian DENNIS AFP

Krajinovic for a first title

When the two players returned, Berrettini immediately took the break to achieve a most logical success.

"I'm very happy, it was really a tough match today," commented the Italian.

"Impatient to play in the final", he will find the Serbian Filip Krajinovic there who got rid of the Croatian Marin Cilic without much problem, yet winner of this tournament in 2012 and 2018, and at Wimbledon in 2017.

Facing a player without any reference on grass so far, Cilic was torpedoed in the first set by yielding his service at 2-2 with 4 unforced errors.

Filip Krajinovic winner of his semi-final against Marin Cilic at Queen's, June 18, 2022 Adrian DENNIS AFP

Too irregular, especially on his usually devastating forehand, he again lost his serve in the 4th game of the second set, leaving the way open to his opponent who will play the 5th final of his career, including one at Bercy in 2017, for zero title.

"It's an incredible feeling, I can't believe I'm in the final. Before this tournament I had never won a game on grass, I came here to play a game or two and now I'm in final of this tournament is a dream come true," explained the 30-year-old Serb.

He will have a lot to do against Berrettini who had dominated him in the final in Budapest in 2019, but on clay, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.

"We'll see, I'll just go to have fun. I have nothing to lose, come what may. But obviously, I will give everything," he added.

© 2022 AFP