TODI, July 6, 2016

Main draw action of the Internazionali Di Tennis Dell’Umbria kicked off in Todi on Monday. Five Italians advanced to the second round on Day 1 of the €42,500 ATP Challenger clay court event.

Fifth seed Aleassandro Giannessi fought past Steven Diez 5-7, 7-5, 6-1. The world number 164 from La Spezia sent down four aces, winning 71% of his first service points to prevail in two hours and 19 minutes. Giannessi awaits the winner of the match between Gregoire Barrere and Arthur de Greef.

Giannessi will be joined by three of the four wild cards in the next round. 2013 Junior Wimbledon champion Gianluigi Quinzi defeated Mohamed Safwat 3-6, 6-0, 6-1. After a slow start into the encounter, the 20-year-old began to overpower his opponent in the second and third set to seal victory in one hour and 46 minutes. The Italian youngster will next play either top seed Andrej Martin or Constant Lestienne.

Stefano Napolitano caused the upset of the day, beating seventh seed Argentine Facundo Arguello 6-3, 6-4. The world number 363 Biella native capitalized on all of his four break points to advance in one hour and 28 minutes. He will take on the winner of the encounter between Blaz Rola and qualifier Salvatore Caruso.

Lorenzo Sonego rallied 1-6, 6-3, 6-0 to overcome Spaniard David Perez Sanz. The 21-year-old from Torino lost his serve twice but converted four of his own 15 break point chances to finish the match after one hour and 34 minuter, facing either fourth seed Marton Fucsovics or lucky loser Cem Ilkel in the second round.

With Jordi Samper Montana another Spanish player fell in the opening stage of the tournament, losing 7-5, 6-3 to Kazakh teenager Dmitry Popko in one hour and 39 minutes. In the longest match of the day lasting two hours and 29 minutes, Matteo Donati emerged victorious from the all-Italian-affair with Federico Gaio 6-7, 7-6, 6-4. Daniil Medvedev outlasted Adrian Ungur 1-6, 6-3, 6-2.