FIRENZE, September 24, 2019
The ATP Challenger Tour has returned to Florence this week for the second edition of the Firenze Tennis Cup Trofeo Toscana Aeroporti held on clay at the Circolo del Tennis Firenze.
Italy’s local faovourite Gianluigi Quinzi set a second-round clash with Philipp Kohlschreiber from Germany, the top seed of the €46,600 ATP Challenger 80 event. The 23-year-old benefited from the retirement of Dmitry Popko of Kazakhstan leading 6-3, 2-0 in Tuesday’s first-round match. Popko was forced to stop playing due to a low back injury.
Two wild entries also prevailed. World No. 442 Enrico Dalla Valle upset Blaz Kavcic from Slovenia winning 6-1, 6-3. Dalla Valle saved all eight break points he faced and converted four of his own seven chances to secure victory in one hour and 23 minutes.
“With my coach Cristian Brandi we had talked a lot about the match,” said Dalla Valle, who celebrated his fourth match win over a top 300 player. “I had to focus on my own game and I am happy that it worked out.” The 21-year-old Italian will next take on No. 7 seed Pedro Sousa from Portugal.
Later in the day, Lorenzo Musetti defeated French qualifier Benjamin Bonzi 6-4, 7-6(9). The 17-year-old Italian won 51 per cent of the total points played to advance in one hour and 58 minutes. Up next for Musetti will be No. 3 seed Spanish young gun Jaume Munar.