TODI/STARNBERG, August 12, 2026
After getting a taste of competition in doubles alongside close friend Alessio De Bernardis on Tuesday, Francesco Passaro made a winning return to singles action at the Internazionali di Tennis Città di Todi | Sidernestor Tennis Cup. In front of a packed Tennis Club Todi 1971, the home favourite battled past fellow Italian Carlo Alberto Caniato, born in 2005, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a hard-fought evening encounter.
The result was particularly important for Passaro not so much because of the level of his performance, but because of his ability to fight through a long three-set battle. After a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to a wrist injury, the 24-year-old is only now getting his season properly underway. Back at No. 219 in the ATP Rankings after reaching a career-high No. 89 just a year ago, Passaro showed plenty of resilience to secure his place in the second round.
Back with a WIN. 💙
Francesco Passaro torna in campo sulla sua terra di casa e lo fa con una vittoria. 🥹🎾
Supera Caniato 4/6 6/4 6/4 e stacca il pass per il secondo turno del Challenger di Todi. 🔥#tennis #InternazionaliTodi #ATPChallenger #Todi pic.twitter.com/zEwjNJqMGO
— MEF tennis events (@meftennisevents) August 11, 2026
“I think playing doubles with Alessio, who is a very good friend of mine, helped me find my rhythm,” Passaro said. “I’m happy with my performance and I really missed playing at home. Todi and Perugia are two tournaments that mean a lot to me. I’m motivated and I want to have a good week. At this point, winning a match in three sets is fundamental for rebuilding my confidence, and Carlo Alberto proved to be a great opponent.”
Working with new coach Stefano Pescosolido, Passaro is gradually finding his way back after his injury. “We started a little slowly because of the injury, but with time we’ll get to know each other better and better,” he added.
Passaro will return to action on Thursday when he takes on Spain’s Oriol Roca Batalla. The No. 342-ranked Spaniard advanced earlier in the day with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Ukrainian qualifier Nikita Mashtakov.
Earlier on Centre Court, top seed Stefano Travaglia was forced to retire from his first-round match against Argentina’s Nicolas Kicker. The runner-up in last year’s edition made a flying start, dropping just one game in the opening set to lead 6-0. Kicker, who was also a finalist in Todi in 2022, fought back to take the second set 6-4. Travaglia then experienced a physical issue and was forced to retire while trailing 0-4 in the deciding set.
The ATP Challenger 75 continues at the Tennis Club Todi 1971 through Sunday, August 16.
