MAIA/STARNBERG, October 18, 2026
Francesco Passaro battled until the very end to become champion of the Maia Open, two years after finishing runner-up at the tournament. His redemption story earned the Italian his second consecutive ATP Challenger title after Palermo and brought the ninth edition of the event, organised by the Portuguese Tennis Federation and Maia City Council, to a close.
In Sunday’s final, Passaro (ranked No. 229, having previously reached a career-high No. 89) went one better than in 2024, defeating Zsombor Piros (No. 114) 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.
The 25-year-old sealed the victory in one hour and 59 minutes, completing his third consecutive comeback on the clay courts of Maia. He had previously recovered from a set down against top seed Marco Trungelliti in the quarterfinals and against Matej Dodig, the Braga Open champion, in the semi-finals.
Across the net, Piros was contesting his fourth ATP Challenger final on Portuguese soil. The Hungarian had been hoping to replicate his success at the Oeiras Open 125 in 2023 and secure a long-awaited debut inside the top 100. Despite Sunday’s defeat, he will climb to No. 103 in the rankings, surpassing his previous career-best position of No. 106, achieved in March 2024.
Passaro, meanwhile, has now won 10 consecutive matches, adding the Maia Open trophy to the title he claimed in Palermo just one week earlier.
Francesco Passaro is the #MaiaOpen champion!
The 25-year-old Italian defeats Zsombor Piros 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 to win back-to-back #ATPChallenger titles.
Piros needed the title today to secure his top 100 debut but will still reach a new career-high. https://t.co/1FN4L0YW9q
— Gaspar Ribeiro Lança (@gasparlanca) October 18, 2026
“It’s a great feeling. I have worked very hard to get back to having weeks like this, and I am very proud of myself and the work I am doing with my team because winning back-to-back titles is not easy. This week was very tough. I played three three-set matches, and I am very happy. I really enjoy playing here in Maia. It’s fantastic,” the Italian said after the final.
Asked how he would have reacted to such an achievement 15 years ago, Passaro responded with a broad smile: “I would have smiled and probably said it was a joke. I have found my game and my confidence again, but this month I have also worked very hard on the mental side. These weeks are showing the progress I have been making. It’s all down to hard work.”
With another trophy in his luggage, Passaro will now travel to the Club Internacional de Foot-Ball in Lisbon, where he is set to play a special role in Gastao Elias‘ farewell to professional tennis. The Italian is scheduled to face the Portuguese veteran in the first round of the Lisboa Belém Open on Tuesday, the tournament Elias has chosen to bring his career to an end at the age of 35.
“I saw on Instagram that this will be his last tournament. I hope his final match will be against me,” Passaro joked. “He is a great player and has had an incredible career. I hope there will be a lot of people watching us because I enjoy playing in front of a big crowd. I will give my best and try to win.”
Following his triumph in Maia, Passaro will climb 83 places in the ATP Rankings to No. 146, heading to Lisbon full of confidence after an outstanding fortnight on the Challenger Tour.
