MILAN/STARNBERG, July 2, 2026
It was a day to remember for Italian tennis at the Aspria Harbour Club, as four home players secured places in the quarterfinals of the Aspria Tennis Cup 2026 – Trofeo BCS, creating a strong Italian presence in the final eight of the ATP Challenger tournament.
After Enrico Dalla Valle had already booked his spot on Wednesday, Thursday’s second-round action saw Juan Cruz Martin Manzano, Pierluigi Basile, and defending champion Marco Cecchinato join him with impressive victories.
Wild card Martin Manzano produced a resilient performance to defeat Spain’s Jorda Sanchis 6-0, 5-7, 6-3. After dominating the opening set, the Italian came within two points of victory late in the second before his opponent forced a decider. Martin Manzano quickly regrouped, rediscovered his aggressive game, and closed out the match in three sets.
Another Italian wild card, Pierluigi Basile, also advanced in straight sets, overcoming Denmark’s Elmer Moller 6-4, 6-4. Basile raced into an early lead and, despite falling behind 4-2 in the second set, responded with four consecutive games to seal his place in the last eight.
Defending champion Marco Cecchinato won the all-Italian clash against Raul Brancaccio 6-2, 7-6(1). After comfortably taking the opening set, Cecchinato showed his experience by recovering from a difficult second set, denying Brancaccio the chance to force a decider before dominating the tie-break.
The only disappointment for the home crowd came with Daniele Rapagnetta, who was beaten by Argentina’s former champion Facundo Diaz Acosta 6-2, 6-1. Nevertheless, Rapagnetta can take positives from an impressive week that included qualifying for the main draw and recording his first-round victory.
Friday’s quarterfinal schedule promises another exciting day in Milan, opening with Gustavo Heide against Enrico Dalla Valle, followed by an all-Italian meeting between Basile and Cecchinato, while Martin Manzano will face Diaz Acosta for a place in the semifinals.
THURSDAY RESULTS
Second Round – Singles
Juan Cruz Martin Manzano (ITA) def. Jorda Sanchis (ESP) 6-0, 5-7, 6-3
Pierluigi Basile (ITA) def. Moller (DEN) 6-4, 6-4
Facundo Diaz Acosta (ARG) def. Daniele Rapagnetta (ITA) 6-2, 6-1
Marco Cecchinato (ITA) def. Raul Brancaccio (ITA) 6-2, 7-6(1)
