CERVIA/STARNBERG, May 19, 2026
The inaugural edition of the CAME Cup – Citta di Cervia enjoyed a spectacular opening day of the main draw at the Polisportiva 2000 Tennis Club, where a packed crowd witnessed a high-quality showdown between two of the brightest young prospects in European tennis: Jacopo Vasami and Moise Kouame.
In the featured evening match of the ATP Challenger 50 event, 18-year-old Italian wild card Vasami defeated the talented Frenchman 6-3, 7-6(3) after two hours and 15 minutes of outstanding tennis from both players. The match lived up to expectations and left spectators impressed by the level displayed by the two teenagers.
Vasami, last year’s Trofeo Bonfiglio junior champion and considered one of Italy’s leading young hopes alongside Federico Cina, took control early by breaking in the fourth game of the opening set. Kouame, already ranked as high as No. 313 in the ATP Rankings and seeded eighth in Cervia, fought hard to recover, but the Roman left-hander saved two break points at 4-5 before securing the set.
The second set remained evenly balanced throughout, with both players holding serve under pressure. Vasamì missed four break points in the fifth game and later had to save two himself before holding firm in the decisive tie-break, where he produced his best tennis to close out one of the standout matches of the opening round.
Down the line 👏
18-year-old Jacopo Vasami with a backhand beauty in Cervia#ATPChallenger | @federtennis pic.twitter.com/NA338fFHW7
— ATP Challenger (@ATPChallenger) May 19, 2026
With Vasami’s success, nine Italians advanced to the second round.
Top seed Andrea Guerrieri also progressed after a hard-fought comeback victory over Ukraine’s Oleg Prihodko. The 27-year-old left-hander from Correggio, currently ranked No. 252 in the world and fresh off his maiden Challenger title in Rome last month, prevailed 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-2 after nearly three hours on court.
“I am satisfied with my match, especially because I found consistency and managed to work my way out of difficult moments,” Guerrieri said. “I am going through a period full of satisfaction and collecting the rewards of the work we have been doing for a long time with my coaches Riccardo Maiga and Giampaolo Coppo.”
Guerrieri will now face fellow Italian Gabriele Piraino in the second round after the Sicilian defeated wild card Lorenzo Rottoli in straight sets.
Another convincing Italian winner was Carlo Alberto Caniato. The 20-year-old from Ferrara, who trains at the Villa Carpena Academy in Forlì, defeated qualifier Federico Arnaboldi 6-2, 6-4 in front of a large Centre Court crowd despite recently recovering from a wrist injury.
“It was a good performance against a strong opponent,” Caniato commented. “I hadn’t played tournaments for three weeks because of a problem with my left wrist, so this result gives me confidence moving forward.”
Lorenzo Carboni also advanced after taking advantage of his lucky loser spot to defeat former junior world No. 1 Ivan Ivanov from Bulgaria.
Enrico Dalla Valle and Tommaso Compagnucci, both qualifiers, booked places in the round of 16 as well. Dalla Valle defeated Filippo Romano to avenge his loss earlier this year in Cesenatico and will now face Vasami in an all-Italian clash. Compagnucci produced one of the day’s notable wins by eliminating Australia’s Li Tu, who arrived in Cervia coached by 1987 Wimbledon champion Pat Cash.
Michele Ribecai and Juan Cruz Martin Manzano also advanced and will meet in another all-Italian second-round encounter.
Francesco Forti came close to a major upset against third seed Stefan Dostanic, taking the opening set before eventually falling 2-6, 7-6(3), 6-4. Federico Bondioli and qualifier Giovanni Oradini were also eliminated.
TUESDAY RESULTS
Singles – First Round
Jacopo Vasamì (ITA) def. Moise Kouame (FRA) 6-3, 7-6(3)
Andrea Guerrieri (ITA, 1) def. Oleg Prihodko (UKR) 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-2
Carlo Alberto Caniato (ITA) def. Federico Arnaboldi (ITA, Q) 6-2, 6-4
Enrico Dalla Valle (ITA, Q) def. Filippo Romano (ITA) 6-4, 6-3
Gabriele Piraino (ITA) def. Lorenzo Rottoli (ITA, WC) 6-4, 6-3
Michele Ribecai (ITA, 7) def. Ioannis Xilas (GRE) 6-4, 6-1
Tommaso Compagnucci (ITA, Q) def. Li Tu (AUS) 7-5, 6-4
Juan Cruz Martin Manzano (ITA, WC) def. Federico Iannaccone (ITA, Q) 6-4, 2-6, 6-4
Lorenzo Carboni (ITA) def. Ivan Ivanov (BUL) 7-5, 6-1
Petr Nesterov (BUL) def. Federico Bondioli (ITA) 6-2, 6-4
Stefan Dostanic (USA, 3) def. Francesco Forti (ITA, Q) 2-6, 7-6(3), 6-4
Guido Ivan Justo (ARG, 2) def. Giovanni Oradini (ITA, Q) 6-4, 6-4
