CERVIA/STARNBERG, May 22, 2026

Max Alcala Gurri and Buvaysar Gadamauri will battle for the title at the CAME Cup – Città di Cervia, the ATP Challenger 50 event taking place on the clay courts of the Circolo Polisportiva 2000 Tennis. The two finalists emerged victorious from dramatic semi-finals that ended the hopes of the last remaining Italian players, Andrea Guerrieri and Tommaso Compagnucci.

Alcala Gurri produced an impressive comeback performance to defeat top seed Andrea Guerrieri 7-5, 7-5 after a match that followed a remarkably similar pattern in both sets. Guerrieri, fresh from winning his maiden Challenger title in Rome in April and the ITF M25 title in Reggio Emilia last week, stormed into 4-0 leads in both sets. However, the Spaniard gradually found his rhythm and managed to turn the tide each time.

The 23-year-old from Barcelona, a classic clay-court specialist with heavy topspin and outstanding defensive skills, successfully disrupted Guerrieri’s geometrical baseline game. By constantly varying the trajectory and depth of his shots, Alcala Gurri forced the Italian into difficult positions and eventually sealed the biggest win of his career after two hours and 20 minutes. As Guerrieri’s final shot sailed long, the Spaniard dropped to the clay in celebration of his first ATP Challenger final.

Waiting for him in Saturday’s championship match will be Belgium’s Buvaysar Gadamauri, who survived an epic battle against qualifier Tommaso Compagnucci. The sixth seed prevailed 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(12) after two hours and 34 minutes filled with momentum swings and missed opportunities.

Compagnucci, who had already upset second seed Guido Ivan Justo and local favourite Enrico Dalla Valle earlier in the week, started strongly and claimed the opening set 6-3. Gadamauri, however, raised his level significantly in the second set, attacking aggressively with both his forehand and one-handed backhand. After breaking late in the set, the Belgian levelled the contest at one set apiece.

The deciding set proved to be a thriller. Compagnucci moved ahead early and served for victory before Gadamauri fought back to force a dramatic tie-break. The Italian held four match points, including two on serve, but was unable to close it out. Gadamauri eventually converted his fourth match point to book his place in the final and guarantee a new career-high ranking.

“What an ending to the match,” the Belgian said afterwards. “We both had many chances to win, and in the end it went my way. I’m really happy to reach another Challenger final after winning in Shymkent last month. Matches like this give you a lot of confidence.”

Italy will still be represented in the doubles final, where Francesco Forti and Filippo Romano advanced after Gadamauri and Australia’s Li Tu withdrew from their semi-final. The Italian duo will face second seeds Santiago Rodriguez Taverna and David Vega Hernandez, who defeated Juan Jose Bianchi and Joshua Sheehy 6-4, 7-5.

FRIDAY RESULTS

Singles – Semi-finals

Max Alcala Gurri (ESP) def. Andrea Guerrieri (ITA, 1) 7-5, 7-5
Buvaysar Gadamauri (BEL, 6) def. Tommaso Compagnucci (ITA, Q) 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(12)

Doubles – Semi-finals

Francesco Forti / Filippo Romano (ITA) def. Buvaysar Gadamauri / Li Tu (BEL/AUS) walkover
Santiago Rodriguez Taverna / David Vega Hernandez (ARG/ESP, 2) def. Juan Jose Bianchi / Joshua Sheehy (VEN/USA, 3) 6-4, 7-5