MONZA/STARNBERG, April 6, 2026
The Monza crowd had been waiting for Mattia Bellucci, one of the favorites for the title at the Atkinsons Monza Open 26. But Bellucci had also been waiting for Monza.
For a player used to traveling the world week after week, the opportunity to compete close to home, with his girlfriend and family in the stands among more than 1,000 spectators, was a rare one. The 23-year-old from Varese turned that support into energy on Monday, overcoming former world No. 23 Dusan Lajovic 7-6, 6-4 in a high-quality opening-round match.
The third seed at the ATP Challenger 125 event recovered from a 1-3 deficit in the opening set and then won three straight points to take the tie-break. In the second set, Bellucci had to deal with cramps in his quadriceps while leading 4-3.
Rather than losing his focus, the Italian stayed composed. After receiving treatment from the physio during the changeover, he returned to the court and closed out the victory with confidence.
“Knowing I was facing such an experienced and high-quality opponent, I tried to start well, with poor results,” Bellucci said with a smile. “But I managed to stay composed and turn the match around. I think I did that pretty well, especially with the right amount of courage in the tie-break. Overall, I think I managed the match well and I enjoyed myself on court. The Monza crowd also played its part.”
After Bellucci’s win, another packed Centre Court celebrated Stefano Travaglia, who continued his recent resurgence with a 7-6, 7-5 victory over fifth seed Vilius Gaubas.
Although Gaubas entered the match as the higher-ranked player, Travaglia once again showed the form that recently carried him to a seventh Challenger title at the Zadar Open in Croatia. Like Bellucci, the 33-year-old Italian had to come back from an early deficit in the opening set, with Gaubas leading 5-3 before Travaglia claimed the tie-break.
The second set followed a similar pattern. Travaglia held a 5-3 lead of his own, but failed to convert three match points in the 10th game. The experienced Italian remained calm, however, and finally secured the victory two games later.
Back to winning ways 🎉
Stefano Travaglia takes out [5] Gaubas 7-6(1), 7-5 to claim his first victory since his Zadar title!#ATPChallenger | 🇮🇹 Monza pic.twitter.com/wOctdX85xu
— ATP Challenger (@ATPChallenger) April 6, 2026
The result guarantees at least one Italian place in the quarterfinals, as Travaglia will next face the winner of the all-Italian clash between Raul Brancaccio, fresh from winning the Open Menorca Challenger on Sunday, and 17-year-old qualifier Jacopo Vasami.
Vasami earned his place in the main draw in emphatic fashion, defeating top qualifying seed Henri Squire 6-0, 6-3. The Rome native, born in 2007, was joined in the main draw by fellow Italian qualifiers Andrea Guerrieri and Federico Arnaboldi.
Guerrieri came through an all-Italian battle against Federico Bondioli after three hours and 37 minutes, winning 5-7, 6-4, 6-4. Arnaboldi defeated Fabrizio Andaloro 6-4, 7-5.
MONDAY RESULTS
Singles – First Round
Mattia Bellucci (ITA) def. Dusan Lajovic (SRB) 7-6, 6-4
Rei Sakamoto (JPN) def. Roberto Carballes Baena (ESP) 6-4, 6-3
Remy Bertola (SUI) def. Moez Echargui (TUN) 6-3, 6-4
Stefano Travaglia (ITA) def. Vilius Gaubas (LTU) 7-6, 7-5
Singles – Final Qualifying Round
Jacopo Vasamì (ITA) def. Henri Squire (GER) 6-0, 6-3
Maks Kasnikowski (POL) def. Sumit Nagal (IND) 4-6, 6-3, 6-0
Norbert Gombos (SVK) def. Carlo Alberto Caniato (ITA) 7-6, 7-6
Sandro Kopp (AUT) def. Filippo Romano (ITA) 6-4, 6-4
Federico Arnaboldi (ITA) def. Fabrizio Andaloro (ITA) 6-4, 7-5
Andrea Guerrieri (ITA) def. Federico Bondioli (ITA) 5-7, 6-4, 6-4
