ORTISEI, November 14, 2019

Italian teenager Jannik Sinner opened his home campaign at the 10th edition of the Sparkasse Challenger Val Gardena Südtirol with a 7-6(5), 7-5 win over Lucas Miedler from Austria on Wednesday evening.

In front of a sold-out crowd of 500 at the Tennis Club Ortisei, the No. 2 seed from South Tyrol fired 15 aces, saved all six break points he faced and capitalized on his only break point chance to advance to the third round of the €46,600 ATP Challenger event after one hour and 30 minutes.

Sinner will next play No. 13 Roberto Marcora. In the only previous meeting between the two, the reigning Next Gen ATP Finals champion beat his compatriot in the title match of the ATP Challenger in Bergamo, where Sinner lifted his maiden Challenger trophy. Marcora fought past 17-year-old Giulio Zepppieri 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 in one hour and 41 minutes.

Earlier in the day, Andrea Pellegrino knocked out the tournament’s top seed Stefano Travaglia, winning 7-6(2), 7-6(4). The 22-year-old Italian saved all four break point he faced and won eight points more than the World No. 83 to secure victory in one hour and 37 minutes.

“Andrea played better and it is very difficult to break his serve on this fast surface surface here,” said former professional Simone Vagnozzi, who is now Travaglia’s coach. While Travaglia’s season has come to an end, Pellegrino will next take on compatriot Luca Vanni on Thursday.