NAPLES/STARNBERG, March 25, 2025

The European clay-court swing on the ATP Challenger Tour is in full swing with the second edition of the Napoli Tennis Cup. Swedish qualifier Elias Ymer headlined Tuesday’s first-round action by knocking out No. 3 seed Francesco Passaro 6-7(6), 6-3, 7-5.

Ymer sent down four aces and won 66 per cent of his first-service points. The World No. 261 saved 15 of the 17 break points he faced and capitalized on four of his own five break-point chances to prevail after three hours and 10 minutes.

Turnaround completed ☑️ @eliasymer overcomes home favourite Passaro 6-7(6), 6-3, 7-5 to advance in Naples#ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/s8lc7QUfeM

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) March 25, 2025

Up next for Ymer will be Murkel Dellien of Bolivia, who defeated local wild card entry Francesco Maestrelli 6-3, 6-4.

In other first-round action, Stan Wawrinka defeated Croatian qualifier Borna Gojo 6-2, 6-3. The 39-year-old Swiss, who is competing in his first ATP Challenger Tour event of the season, converted four of his seven break-point opportunities to advance in 62 minutes.

“I have been enjoying the last few days. It’s great to be back here after 20 years. It’s a great tournament and I enjoy the atmosphere. It’s great to have such a big support,” said Wawrinka, who celebrates his 40th birthday on Friday.

The former World No. 3 will next play in-form Borna Coric. The seventh-seeded Croatian won his 16th consecutive match win by defeating Frenchman Harold Mayot 6-4, 6-2. Coric, a winner of three straight Challenger crowns this month, secured victory in one hour and 34 minutes.

Napoli Tennis Cup top seed Luciano Darderi opened his title bid with a comfortable 6-2, 6-3 win over fellow Italian Franco Agamenone. The World No. 61 won 59 per cent of the total points played to succeed in one hour and 18 minutes. Darderi will next take on Sumit Nagal of India, who was a 7-6(4), 6-4 winner over Duje Ajdukovic of Croatia.