MILAN/STARNBERG, June 23, 2022

Italian youngster Francesco Passaro is the only seed in the bottom half of the draw at the Aspria Tennis Cup who booked his place in the quarterfinals. The No. 8 seed of the ATP Challenger Tour 80 clay-court tournament defeated Alexis Galarneau of Canada 6-1, 6-3 on Thursday in Milan.

Passaro, a winner of three titles on the ITF World Tennis Tour, saved three of the four break points he faced and capitalized on five of his own 14 break-point chances to advance in one hour and 26 minutes. The 21-year-old from Perugia will next take on Viktor Durasovic of Norway, who rallied past home favourite Raul Brancaccio 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 in just under two hours of play.

“I started too slowly, I didn’t have the right energy,” said Durasovic. “Then I started to be patient. There were two keys: he couldn’t attack me too much because he didn’t serve as well as in the first set, while I found the right patience and pulled a good number of shots before pushing.”

In other action, Matteo Gigante knocked off No. 6 seed and fellow Italian Marco Cecchinato 7-6(3), 6-1. The 20-year-old wild card entry sent down three aces and won 84 per cent of his first-service points to seal victory in one hour and 41 minutes. Up next for Gigante will be Hungarian qualifier Fabian Marozsan, who beat Alexey Vatutin of Russia 6-2, 6-3. The encounter lasted one hour and 26 minutes.

Thursday Results

Singles – Second Round

Fabian Marozsan (HUN) b. Alexei Vatutin (RUS) 6-2 6-3

Viktor Durasovic (NOR) b. Raul Brancaccio (ITA) 4-6 6-1 6-3

Matteo Gigante (ITA) b. Marco Cecchinato (ITA) 7-6(3) 6-1

Francesco Passaro (ITA) b. Alexis Galarneau (CAN) 6-1 6-2

Doubles – Quarterfinals

Hidalgo / Rodriguez (ECU-COL) 6-4 b. Huey / Skugor (FIL-CRO) 4-6 6-3 10-7

Arneodo / Eysseric (MON-FRA) b. Arnaboldi / Ferrari (ITA-ITA) 4-6 6-3 10-5

Darderi / Romboli (ITA-BRA) b. Matuszewski / Paulson (POL-CZE) 4-6 6-2 10-8

Lomakin / Manafov (KAZ-UCR) b. Vatutin / Weissborn (RUS-AUT) 7-6(4) 7-6(2)