TODI/STARNBERG, August 14, 2023
Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, and Lorenzo Musetti. To follow in their footsteps, Gabriel Debru will still have a long way to go. The former Junior World No. 1 and last year’s Roland Garros Junior champion has started his journey at the Internazionali Città di Todi | Sidernestor Tennis Cup with a victory.
On Center Court of the Tennis Club Todi 1971, the qualities of the 17-year-old Frenchman were impressive as he secured a 6-3, 7-6(3) first-round win over German Henri Squire. In the second round, he will face the winner of the encounter between Lorenzo Giustino of Italy and No. 2 seed Camilo Ugo Carabelli from Argentina.
Just a few weeks after winning his first professional title at the ITF World Tennis Tour M15 event in Gubbio, Debru has returned to Umbria to participate in the ATP Challenger Tour 75 tournament in Todi.
Gabriel #Debru 🇫🇷 2022 World Junior No.1, beats Squire 6/3 7/6 and reaches the second round in #Todi! 👏 #tennis #InternazionaliTodi #ATPChallenger @ATPChallenger @FFTennis pic.twitter.com/ENlhel40Z1
— MEF tennis events (@meftennisevents) August 14, 2023
“My opponent didn’t feel good at the beginning of the match, but then he recovered, so I had to stay focused,” said Debru. “In the second set, I was even trailing, but I managed to come back and avoided to play the deciding set.”
Asked about being back in Umbria, the teenager responded: “It’s great to be here in Todi, and in general, I love Italy, especially since I won my first professional title here.
“Starting a professional career after a significant junior victory like Roland Garros isn’t easy. I’m currently ranked 377th in the world, a good ranking due to my results this season. There are a lot of strong players competing in the Challenger circuit, but I feel like I’m at this level.”
MONDAY RESULTS
Main Draw – First Round
Gabriel Debru b. Henri Squire 6-3 7-6(3)
Qualifying – Final Round
Felix Gill b. Mathys Erhard (1) 1-6 6-3 6-0
Carlos Sanchez Jover (2) b. Gian Matias Di Natale (WC) 6-3 6-4
Julian Ocleppo (7) b. Samuel Vincent Ruggeri (3) 6-1 6-2
Miljan Zekic (4) b. Luca Potenza 6-3 4-6 7-5
Giovanni Oradini (5) b. Gabriele Pennaforti (WC) 7-6(2) 2-6 6-3
Orlando Luz (11) b. Miguel Damas (Alt) 6-1 4-6 6-4
