NAPLES/STARNBERG, March 26, 2024
The ATP Challenger Tour is back in Italy for the Napoli Tennis Cup being held on the clay courts of the Tennis Club Napoli. Three home favourites booked their spots in the second round on Tuesday.
Veteran and former Top 10 star Fabio Fognini fought past Santiago Rodriguez Taverna of Argentina 6-3, 1-6, 6-2. The No. 4 seed of the €148,625 event converted five of his 10 break-point chances and won 52 per cent of the total points played to advance in one hour and 36 minutes. Fognini, 36, will next take on the winner of the encounter between his compatriot Stefano Travaglia and French qualifier Arthur Gea.
⚽️ @MPolitano16 🤝 @fabiofogna 🎾
When Italian sporting worlds collide 🇮🇹#ATPChallenger | @sscnapoli pic.twitter.com/OHRZ6fnHsT
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) March 26, 2024
Francesco Maestrelli defeated fellow Italian Marco Cecchinato 7-6(4), 6-4. The 21-year-old wild card entry capitalized on three of his break-point opportunities to succeed in one hour and 43 minutes. Up next for Maestrelli will be No. 8 seed Pierre-Hugues Herbert of France.
Stefano Napolitano completes the successful Italian trio. The 28-year-old Biella native beat French qualifier Evan Furness 6-3, 6-2. Napolitano broke his rival’s serve four times to seal victory in one hour and 23 minutes. He will next take on local alternate Francesco Passaro.
In other action, No. 3 seed Maximilian Marterer of Germany ousted Swedish lucky loser Elias Ymer 6-3, 6-0 and will play Ugo Blanchet of France in the second round.
