TODI/STARNBERG, August 15, 2023

Enrico Dalla Valle advanced to the second round of the Internazionali Città di Todi | Sidernestor Tennis Cup. After three surgeries that jeopardized his career, the 25-year-old Italian is making a successful return to the ATP Challenger Tour.

Fresh from his semi-final run on home soil in Cordenons last week, the Ravenna native has started the ATP Challenger 75 event organized by MEF Tennis Events at the Tennis Club Todi 1971 on the right foot. On Grandstand, Dalla Valle upset No. 3 seed Mariano Navone of Argentina 7-6(4), 6-3.

The wild card entry broke his rival’s serve five times and won 55 per cent of the total points played to secure victory in two hours and one minute.

A shocker in Todi 😮

Wild card Enrico Dalla Valle takes down No. 3 seed Navone 7-6(4), 6-3 to reach the second round #ATPChallenger | @meftennisevents pic.twitter.com/f3RGYgUOzM

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) August 15, 2023

Last year’s victory at the ITF World Tennis Tour M15 event in Aprilia, his first title in three years, marked a step forward in Dalla Valle’s tumultuous return to competitive play. One year later, now ranked World No. 348, he has improved his best ranking and returned to where he had already proven he belongs.

“I played against a strong opponent, and it was necessary to fight for every point. In both sets, I was trailing, but I faced every situation with courage and I’m very happy,” said Dalla Valle after reaching the second round in Todi.

Since 2021, Dalla Valle has undergone three surgeries and just over a year ago, he struggled to walk: “I had the first surgery in mid-2021 on my right hip, then I had one for the same issue on my left hip, and in between, I was in intensive care for an internal hemorrhage. But now I’m well, and that’s the most important thing because it allows me to play, and I’m enjoying this journey day by day.”

Dalla Valle will next take on British qualifier Felix Gill, who fought past Francesco Forti of Italy 7-6(8), 4-6, 7-6(2). The longest encounter of the day lasted exactly three hours.

TUESDAY RESULTS

Singles – First Round

Zsombor Piros (1) b. Daniel Michalski 6-2 6-4

Michael Geerts b. Giovanni Oradini (Q) 5-7 6-3 7-5

Moez Echargui b. Andrea Pellegrino (5) 6-3 6-1

Enrico Dalla Valle (WC) b. Mariano Navone (3) 7-6(4) 6-3

Felix Gill (Q) b. Francesco Forti 7-6(8) 4-6 7-6(2)

Giovanni Fonio b. Orlando Luz (Q) 7-6(4) 6-4

Julian Ocleppo (Q) b. Roman Andres Burruchaga (6)

Luciano Darderi (7) b. Lucas Gerch (Alt) 6-2 6-3

Miljan Zekic (Q) b. Carlos Lopez Montagud (Alt) 6-7(1) 6-3 6-4

Carlos Sanchez Jover (Q) b. Fabrizio Andaloro (WC) 7-6(3) 6-2

Mathys Erhard (LL) b. Lorenzo Giustino 7-6(4) 6-0