NAPLES/STARNBERG, March 27, 2024
Italian youngster Luca Nardi opened his title bid at the Napoli Tennis Cup with a comfortable first-round win over last week’s Zadar Open champion Jozef Kovalik of Slovakia. On a rain-interrupted Wednesday in Campania, the No. 2 seed of the €148,625 ATP Challenger Tour clay-court event converted five of his 11 break-point chances to seal a 6-3, 6-3 victory in one hour and 42 minutes.
Up and running in Naples 🏃♂️
In a rain delayed first round match, @Luca___Nardi prevails 6-3, 6-3 over Kovalik #ATPChallenger | @federtennis pic.twitter.com/aHRoJkzbRD
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) March 27, 2024
The 20-year-old Nardi will next take on either Frenchman Matteo Martineau or his compatriot Franco Agamenone.
Gigante advances to second round
Matteo Gigante also booked his spot in the second round in Naples. The seventh-seeded home favourite beat Benjamin Bonzi of France 6-3, 6-0. Gigante, who already captured two ATP Challenger Tour titles this season in Nonthaburi, Thailand and Tenerife, Spain, saved all six break points he faced and capitalized on four of his own five break-point opportunities to advance in one hour and 10 minutes.
Up next for the World No. 149 from Rome will be Italian qualifier Samuel Vincent Ruggeri, who edged past his fellow compatriot Enrico Dalla Valle 7-6(5), 6-3. The encounter lasted one hour and 49 minutes.
