Italian tennis continues to ride an extraordinary wave of success, and the Sardegna Open is providing further proof. On a dramatic quarterfinal Friday at the Tennis Club Cagliari, two Italian players advanced to the semi-finals, delighting a sold-out crowd with a day full of battles, emotion, and high-quality tennis.

The first to book his place was Matteo Arnaldi, who prevailed in a three-hour marathon against Portugal’s Nuno Borges, winning 6-3, 6-7, 7-6. Arnaldi appeared in control early in the second set but was unable to deliver the decisive blow, allowing Borges to turn the match around and force a decider. The Portuguese even held a match point at 5-4 in the third set, but a missed forehand proved costly. Arnaldi capitalized, leveling at 5-5 before dominating the final tie-break, fueled by strong crowd support and renewed confidence.

In Saturday’s first semi-final, Arnaldi will face fellow Italian and tournament surprise Gianluca Cadenasso. The wild card entry continued his dream run by defeating Jesper De Jong 6-4, 5-7, 6-3. After missing the chance to close the match in straight sets, Cadenasso regrouped impressively, pulling away from 3-3 in the final set. His breakthrough week was further highlighted by the announcement of a main-draw wild card for the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.

New milestone unlocked 🔓

Gianluca Cadenasso fights past de Jong 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 to advance to the biggest semi-final of his career! #ATPChallenger | @federtennis pic.twitter.com/Std2jhPsNa

— ATP Challenger (@ATPChallenger) May 1, 2026

The second semi-final will see Hubert Hurkacz take on Argentina’s Roman Andres Burruchaga. Hurkacz ended the run of Matteo Berrettini with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 comeback victory, reversing the outcome of their memorable Wimbledon Championships semi-final in 2021. After dropping the opening set, the former top-10 player raised his level, taking control as Berrettini missed key chances, including a crucial break point at 4-3 in the final set.

Final Four 🔜@HubertHurkacz weathers Berrettini 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in Cagliari #ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/9p8VDhqx4Z

— ATP Challenger (@ATPChallenger) May 1, 2026

Burruchaga also showed remarkable resilience, saving a match point to defeat Marcos Giron 6-3, 2-6, 7-6—his second consecutive victory after fending off match points.

FRIDAY RESULTS

Singles – Quarter-finals

Matteo Arnaldi (ITA) def. Nuno Borges (POR) 6-3, 6-7, 7-6

Roman Andres Burruchaga (ARG) def. Marcos Giron (USA) 6-3, 2-6, 7-6

Gianluca Cadenasso (ITA) def. Jesper De Jong (NED) 6-4, 5-7, 6-3

Hubert Hurkacz (POL) def. Matteo Berrettini (ITA) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4

Doubles – Quarter-finals

Pavlasek/Rikl (CZE/CZE) def. Reynolds/Watt (NZL/NZL) 6-2, 6-2

Gille/Verbeek (BEL/NED) def. Burruchaga/Pellegrino (ARG/ITA) 6-4, 6-3

Nouza/Oberleitner (CZE/AUT) def. Kittay/Seggerman (USA/USA) 7-6, 6-2

Kiger/Stalder (USA/USA) def. Frantzen/Haase (GER/NED) 6-4, 4-6, 10-6