TODI/STARNBERG, August 14, 2026

After two impressive victories, Francesco Passaro’s run at the Internazionali di Tennis Città di Todi | Sidernestor Tennis Cup came to an end in the quarterfinals as Nicolas Kicker delivered a superb performance to defeat the Italian 6-4, 6-1.

The Argentine, who was already a finalist on the clay courts of Tennis Club Todi 1971 in 2015 and 2022, produced tennis that at times was simply outstanding. Now 33 and ranked world No. 366, Kicker showed a level that belied his current position and proved once again why he has such a strong connection with the tournament.

Kicker will return to Centre Court on Saturday evening for a semifinal clash with Marco Cecchinato. The Italian booked his place in the last four earlier in the day with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over eighth seed Juan Bautista Torres.

The other semifinal will see 18-year-old Czech prodigy Maxim Mrva take on Alex Barrena. Both players advanced after their quarterfinal opponents were forced to retire. Mrva was leading Federico Agustin Gomez 6-2, 4-2 and was closing in on victory when Gomez stopped, while Barrena was ahead 5-1 when second seed Lukas Neumayer was forced to retire with an injury.

Kicker follows Travaglia and Passaro

Nicolas Kicker’s Todi campaign is taking on remarkable proportions. His tournament began in extraordinary fashion against top seed Stefano Travaglia. Kicker lost the opening set 6-0 and then found himself without a racket after breaking the strings on his second one. Forced to continue with his coach’s racket, the Argentine somehow turned the match around, winning the second set 6-4 before Travaglia retired at 4-0 in the deciding set.

That comeback proved to be the turning point. Kicker followed it up with an emphatic 6-4, 6-1 victory over the returning Passaro in the evening session.

He’s done it again. 🔥
Nicolas Kicker defeats home favourite Passaro and returns to the semifinals in Todi 🇮🇹🎾#tennis #InternazionaliTodi #ATPChallenger #Todi pic.twitter.com/r7fGvJEnwO

— MEF tennis events (@meftennisevents) August 14, 2026

“Stefano and Francesco are both very tough players, especially in front of this crowd,” Kicker said. “These are two important wins for me. I have always felt good here, and this time I will obviously try to win the title.”

Reflecting on his bizarre opening round, he added: “I only came here with two rackets, so when I broke the strings on the second one, I had to play with my coach’s racket. But it worked out well.”

Kicker’s connection with Umbria dates back to 2016, when he won the Challenger in Perugia. Now, four years after his most recent Challenger title, the Argentine has another chance to lift a trophy in the region.

He has already come close to doing so twice in Todi, finishing runner-up in 2015 and 2022. On both occasions, he fell short against Aljaz Bedene and Pedro Cachin. Now, at 33, Kicker is dreaming of finally going one step further and claiming the Todi title that has twice slipped through his fingers.