ROME, April 24, 2025
Sandro Kopp continued his fine run of form this week at the Roma Garden Open by reaching his first semi-final on the ATP Challenger Tour. The 24-year-old from Austria, who battled his way through the qualifying into the main draw of the clay-court event in Rome, defeated No. 8 seed Federico Arnaboldi of Italy 6-2, 6-4 on Thursday.
In front of an enthusiastic crowd at the Roma Garden Tennis Club, Kopp won 71 per cent of his first-service points and broke his rival four times to seal victory in one hour and 20 minutes.
“Tennis is a small world. Federico and I are of the same age and we have known each other for many years. We played many Futures together,” said Kopp of his opponent.
“The atmosphere here is cool,” the World No. 422 added. “I like it when a lot of spectators are coming to matches. That’s why I play tennis to show what I can. Spectators are part of it. Being kind of a gladiator is probably something every player enjoys.”
Up next for Kopp will another Italian: either No. 7 seed Matteo Gigante or Francesco Maestrelli. Their quarterfinal match was suspended and postponed to Friday due to rain.
Gaubas leads semi-finals Saturday – no play on Saturday
In the top half of the draw, Vilius Gaubas advanced to the stage of the last eight. The No. 1 seed from Lithuania fought past Italian Andrea Pellegrino 6-3, 4-6, 6-4. Gaubas sent down six aces and won 70 per cent of his first-service points to prevail after two hours and 21 minutes.
Gaubas will next play fifth-seeded Austrian Lukas Neumayer. The 22-year-old Salzburg native knocked off No. 4 seed Timofey Skatov from Kazakhstan 6-3, 7-6(3). The encounter lasted two hours and two minutes.
The semi-finals of the Roma Garden Open will take place on Friday, as Italy’s Minister of Civil Protection and Maritime Policies, Nello Musumeci, has stated that all sporting activities on Saturday will be postponed due to the funeral of Pope Francis.
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