The champion had previously claimed four ATP Tour trophies, but none had come above the ATP 250-level. This is Berrettini's maiden ATP 500 triumph.
Italy's Matteo Berrettini poses with the winners trophy after his victory over Britain's Cameron Norrie during their men's singles final tennis match at the ATP Championships tournament at Queen's Club in west London. Pic/AFP
Top seed Matteo Berrettini of Italy defeated home favourite Cameron Norrie 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-3 to become the first player to win the Queen's Club Championships on debut since 17-year-old Boris Becker of Germany in 1985.
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The 25-year-old Berrettini, ranked ninth in the world, did not face a breakpoint in the final to triumph after one hour and 57 minutes on Sunday.
"(It was an) unbelievable week. If I think about (Boris') name and my name, it's crazy. I was dreaming about playing this tournament. I was watching (it) when I was a kid and now I had the chance to lift the trophy, so it's a dream come true," Berrettini told atptour.com after the match.
The champion had previously claimed four ATP Tour trophies, but none had come above the ATP 250-level. This is Berrettini's maiden ATP 500 triumph.
"It was definitely a really good week. When you win a tournament, it means that you're playing good. But I think during the tournament, after every match I was increasing my level," Berrettini said.
"I think today I had to play my best tennis, especially in the important points, to win... I'm really happy with my performance overall."
Berrettini enjoyed a fine run throughout the tournament, lifting the trophy with the loss of just one set. The Italian, who also defeated former world No. 1 Andy Murray, current British No. 1 Daniel Evans and fourth seed Alex de Minaur this week, is the first Italian in the Open Era to win this title.
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