MANERBIO, August 10, 2019

Paolo Lorenzi and Federico Gaio will meet in an all-Italian championships match at the Internazionali di Manerbio Trofeo “Dimmidisi” on Sunday. Lorenzi, top seed of the €46,600 ATP Challenger event, defeated Russian veteran Teymuraz Gabashvili 6-4, 6-4.

The 37-year-old from Rome saved all of the four break points he faced, converting two of his own three break point opportunities to advance in one hour and 19 minutes.

Gaio battles past Coria

Earlier on Saturday, Gaio came back from a set down to overcome No. 4 seed Federico Coria of Argentina 1-6, 6-4, 6-2. The tournament’s No. 5 sent down six aces, winning 69 per cent of his first-service points to prevail after one hour and 52 minutes.

“I started badly, making a lot of mistakes, while he was solid and precise. Things changed at the beginning of the second set, when I saved several break points and started to serve well,” Gaio said.

Lorenzi won two of the three previous meetings with Gaio. He also beat his compatriot in the Round of the last 16 at the ATP Challenger in Rome earlier this season. Lorenzi is seeking his 402nd match win at ATP Challenger level as well as his 22nd Challenger career title. Gaio could clinch his third crown, his first since 2016.

“I didn’t play well in Rome,” Gaio said. “Paolo is a very intelligent person and can also be intelligent on the court. It is not easy to play against a person like him. He doesn’t give you a lot of free points and knows what to do in different situations. He prepares his game very well and is also able to read his opponent’s game. I will have to focus on my own game.”

Lorenzi added: “Four or five years ago, we practiced together almost every day at the Centro FIT di Tirrenia. We played many tournaments together and went out for dinner at least four times this week. I expect a difficult match. Federico has many qualities but needs to find more continuity.”

Singles final will start not before 4:15 pm local time.