MILAN/STARNBERG, July 5, 2027

Facundo Diaz Acosta captured his second Aspria Tennis Cup – Trofeo BCS title after defeating defending champion Marco Cecchinato 6-7(0), 7-6(5), 7-6(5) in a thrilling final that became the longest championship match in the tournament’s 20-year history.

Played under intense heat at the Aspria Harbour Club, the final lasted three hours and 23 minutes, with both players producing an extraordinary display of endurance and determination. It was a fitting conclusion to the 20th edition of the ATP Challenger event in Milan.

The opening set was decided by a tie-break after neither player dropped serve, with Cecchinato producing a flawless performance to win it 7-0. Diaz Acosta responded in similar fashion in the second set, edging another tie-break 7-5 to level the match.

The deciding set continued at the same relentless pace. Cecchinato broke early to lead 3-1 and appeared to be closing in on a third Milan title, having previously lifted the trophy in 2016 and 2025. However, Diaz Acosta fought back to recover the break and stayed alive despite the Italian coming within two points of victory on two separate occasions.

A third consecutive tie-break settled the championship. At 5-5, Cecchinato suffered a heartbreaking double fault after losing his grip on the racket while serving, handing Diaz Acosta the crucial advantage. The Argentine converted his first championship point moments later to complete a memorable victory and add a second Milan crown to the title he won in 2023.

Heart. Grit. Champion. 😤

Three hours and 20 minutes later, @Facudiazacosta fights past Cecchinato 6-7(0), 7-6(5), 7-6(5) to capture the title in Milan#ATPChallenger | @AATenis pic.twitter.com/gAoTt12kmI

— ATP Challenger (@ATPChallenger) July 5, 2026

“It was an incredibly tough match in very difficult conditions,” Diaz Acosta said during the trophy ceremony. “Thank you to everyone who came to support us despite the heat. It feels wonderful to win here again. The crowd is fantastic, I always feel at home in this tournament. Congratulations to Marco as well—I hope we play many more finals against each other.”

Although disappointed, Cecchinato reflected positively on his remarkable week in Milan.

“It was an incredible battle. Unfortunately, that’s tennis and that’s life,” he said. “Thank you to the tournament organizers, the club and everyone involved. I really wanted to win here for a third time, so of course I’m disappointed. But I won’t stop fighting. A year ago I was close to retiring from tennis. Thanks to my coach, who is also my cousin, I’ve rediscovered my motivation, and my goal is to return to the Top 100.”

The tournament also celebrated a significant milestone, marking the 20th edition of the Aspria Tennis Cup. Aspria Harbour Club General Manager Roberta Minardi highlighted the event’s continued growth and its importance to tennis in Milan, while Tournament Director Massimo Lacarbonara described the record-breaking final as the perfect conclusion to a landmark anniversary edition and looked ahead to the tournament’s return in 2027.