NAPLES/STARNBERG, March 24, 2026

Francesco Cina emerged as the standout performer on day three of the Guerri Napoli Tennis Cup, the ATP Challenger 125 event organized by Master Group Sport in collaboration with the Tennis Club Napoli. The 20-year-old Italian talent and world No. 203 advanced to the second round with a solid 6–4, 6–2 win over fellow Sicilian Gabriele Piraino on a packed “Fabrizio Gasparini” court on Tuesday.

Cina hits his stride 🏃‍♂️

The Italian teenager defeats compatriot Piraino 6-4, 6-2 🔜 Naples R2#ATPChallenger | @federtennis pic.twitter.com/t5t0nXrJwW

— ATP Challenger (@ATPChallenger) March 24, 2026

The day also delivered a major upset as Stan Wawrinka made an early exit. The Swiss star, currently ranked No. 94 and seeded fourth in what is his final season, was defeated by France’s Matteo Martineau after a two-hour and 32-minute battle, 2–6, 6–4, 7–6(2). Wawrinka surrendered the lead as Martineau mounted a comeback, ending the Swiss veteran’s hopes of finishing his career with a title in Naples.

Meanwhiel, France’s Alexandre Muller, seeded third, secured a 7–5, 6–4 victory over Switzerland’s Jakub Paul, while top seed and world No. 55 Daniel Altmaier of Germany cruised past Spain’s Miguel Damas 6–3, 6–1.

Italian players, however, stole the spotlight with a series of impressive performances. The most remarkable result came from 26-year-old world No. 600 Francesco Forti, who stunned second seed and defending champion Vit Kopriva of the Czech Republic. Forti, who had come through the qualifying rounds, overcame a 540-place ranking gap to pull off one of the biggest upsets of the tournament.

Another surprise came from 20-year-old Federico Bondioli, who also advanced from qualifying and defeated eighth seed and world No. 154 Ugo Blanchet of France . In an all-Italian clash between rising talents, Carlo Caniato, a 20-year-old wild card, defeated fellow wild card Jacopo Vasami, 6–3, 6–2.

Further success for Italy came from qualifiers Enrico Dalla Valle, who edged past Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Kukushkin 6–1, 3–6, 7–5, and Michele Ribecai, who defeated Georgia’s Saba Purtseladze 6–2, 6–3. Later in the evening, Andrea Guerrieri, a lucky loser, added another surprise by beating the more experienced Stefano Travaglia – currently No. 161 ATP and a former world No. 60 – 7–6, 2–6, 7–6 after saving three match points.

Local favorite Lorenzo Giustino also delighted the home crowd with a comeback win over seventh seed Kyrian Jacquet, 2–6, 6–4, 6–0, confirming his strong recent form.