MONZA/STARNBERG, April 11, 2025

There are no more Italian flags flying in the singles draw of the Atkinsons Monza Open, as the final two home hopes – rising star Jacopo Vasami and Federico Arnaboldi – were eliminated in Friday’s quarterfinals. However, fans at the sold-out Villa Reale Tennis can still cheer for someone who speaks Italian: Luca Van Assche, the 2004-born Frenchman with Belgian roots and a mother from Bergamo.

Van Assche battled past Arnaboldi in a hard-fought three-setter, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, in front of a passionate crowd. The match seemed in the Frenchman’s control early in the second set when he went up 2-0, but Arnaboldi raised his game with the crowd’s support and leveled the match. The Cantu native even took an early break in the decider, but Van Assche showed grit and athleticism, winning four consecutive games to regain command and eventually seal the win.

SF @lucavanassche handles Arnaboldi 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, edging closer to his first final of the season!#ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/zeYsq0HRpI

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) April 11, 2025

“I did well to trust my game even when Arnaboldi raised his level,” said Van Assche, currently ranked World No. 188 and a former Top 70 player. “This semifinal, my first on clay this season, gives me confidence. I haven’t played much in 2025 due to injuries, but things are finally improving. I’m here to win.” While his grandmother Adelina from Bergamo couldn’t attend, Van Assche shared that he recently had dinner with her and she’s following his progress closely.

In Saturday’s first semifinal, Van Assche will take on Vitaliy Sachko, who came from a set down to defeat teenage sensation Jacopo Vasami 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. Vasami, 17, had dreamed of a third ATP Challenger win after a strong start, but Sachko used his experience and consistency to outlast the young Italian in a tense deciding set. The match echoed their recent clash in Barletta, where Sachko also prevailed.

Vasami will get another shot at glory on Saturday in the doubles final, alongside fellow Italian Filippo Romano. The duo crushed Maestrelli/Svrcina 6-2, 6-1 and will now face Sander Arends and Luke Johnson for the title.

The second singles semifinal will feature top seed Raphael Collignon of Belgium against Dalibor Svrcina of the Czech Republic. Collignon, World No. 91, rallied from a set down to lead Jan Choinski 3-6, 6-2, 2-0 before the Brit retired due to fatigue. Svrcina, meanwhile, extended his winning streak to eight matches – fresh off a title in Barletta – by defeating Austrian Filip Misolic 6-2, 3-6, 7-5, overturning a 3-5 deficit in the final set.

Friday Results

Quarterfinals Singles:

• Raphael Collignon (BEL) def. Jan Choinski (GBR) 3-6, 6-2, 2-0 ret.

• Dalibor Svrcina (CZE) def. Filip Misolic (AUT) 6-2, 3-6, 7-5

• Luca Van Assche (FRA) def. Federico Arnaboldi (ITA) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3

• Vitaliy Sachko (UKR) def. Jacopo Vasamì (ITA) 3-6, 6-3, 6-4

Doubles – Semifinals:

• Romano/Vasami (ITA/ITA) def. Maestrelli/Svrcina (ITA/CZE) 6-2, 6-1

• Arends/Johnson (NED/GBR) def. Vocel/Walkow (CZE/POL) 2-6, 6-4, 10-6