MANERBIO, August 11, 2019
Federico Gaio has clinched his first title on the ATP Challenger Tour since 2016, winning the Internazionali di Manerbio Trofeo “Dimmidisi” on Sunday afternoon. The 27-year-old Italian upset fellow Italian Paolo Lorenzi, the top seed of the €46,600 clay-court event, in the singles final.
Gaio capitalized on five of his nine break point chances to secure a 6-3, 6-1 victory in one hour and 12 minutes.
“I played very well, I knew that I had to dictate the match. Otherwise it will be very difficult against an intelligent player like Paolo is,” Gaio said. “Needless to say that I am very happy.”
The No. 5 seed had to save four match points in his opening match against French qualifier Fabien Reboul. “At this stage, I didn’t think it would end like this, but sometimes it even happens that a lucky loser wins the tournament,” Gaio said. “After a match like that you certainly don’t think of winning the tournament, but I kept thinking about one match at a time and this led me to win the title.”
Following his two previous triumphs on home soil in San Benedetto and Biella three years ago, Gaio pocketed €6,190 in prize money as well as 80 ATP Ranking points.
After a one year hiatus, the tournament in Manerbio returned to the Challenger Tour for its 42nd edition this year.
“Manerbio is a small town but it is organized in the best way. I am glad that they have solved some management problems,” Gaio said.
“I missed Manerbio a lot. The last time I played here was in 2004,” said Lorenzi. “They were all fantastic with me and I hope to come back next year, without having to wait another 15 years.” Good news for the Italian veteran, as organizers have already announced that the event will be back in 2020.
While Lorenzi is staying in Italy for another week, playing the ATP Challenger in Cordenons, Gaio is heading for North America to compete in the qualifying of the US Open.
Earlier in the day, Fabricio Neis and Fernando Romboli claimed the doubles title. The No. 3 seeds from Brazil defeated ITF-entries Sadio Doumbia and Fabien Reboul of France 6-4, 7-6(4). The encounter lasted one hour and 33 minutes.
