PARMA, May 25, 2021 (by Lorenzo Carini)
After yesterday’s washout in Parma, the inaugural Emilia-Romagna Open – Mutti Cup continued on Tuesday. As three courts at the Tennis Club President could not be used, all doubles matches scheduled for today were cancelled and many singles matches were moved to nearby Tennis Club Parma, the complex where the WTA 250 tournament was held last week.
Musetti, Cecchinato prevail
World No. 76 Lorenzo Musetti advanced to the second round of the clay-court event thanks to a three-set win over fellow Italian Gianluca Mager 4-6, 6-1, 6-2. In a rain-interrupted match, the 19-year-old from Carrara had many difficulties during the first set before dominating the other two.
This guy is EVERYWHERE 🌀🇮🇹@lorenzomusetti_ comes up with all the right moves in this wild one in Parma…#EmiliaRomagnaOpen pic.twitter.com/a0xgDrEQah
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 25, 2021
“I think the Lorenzo of two years ago would not have been able to win this match today for sure after the bad loss of the first set,” Musetti told ATPTour.com. “There’s a lot of improvement, we are happy and there is a lot of work to do. We are here to try to go as far as I can and [I] try to do my best.”
Former Roland Garros semifinalist and wild card entry Marco Cecchinato defeated qualifier Raul Brancaccio, who was making his main draw debut on the ATP Tour, 6-3, 7-6(5). The player from Palermo will next face No. 7 seed Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia, who beat Italian Salvatore Caruso 6-4, 7-6(8).
Gombos, Nishioka reach second round
Lucky loser Norbert Gombos of Slovakia won the match of the day, as he defeated Emil Ruusuvuori 7-6(4), 5-7, 6-3 after two hours and 53 minutes. World No. 87 Gombos will be the first opponent in Parma of No. 3 seed Albert Ramos-Vinolas. Eighth seed Yoshihito Nishioka withstood 18 aces from Sam Querrey but secured a 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(3).
Spanish qualifier Pedro Martinez showed an impressive performance. After beating Francesco Passaro and Benjamin Bonzi in the qualifying, the World No. 102 beat Gilles Simon of France 6-0, 6-4 and is getting closer to return to the Top 100. Sebastian Korda (6-3, 6-3 over wildcard Andreas Seppi), Jiri Vesely (7-6(7), 6-2 over Steve Johnson), Richard Gasquet (6-3, 6-3 over Daniel Altmaier) and Jaume Munar (6-3, 7-6(5) against Mikael Ymer) have also booked their spot in the second round.
Wednesday in Parma: Sonego and Paire to open title bid
The tournament’s top two seeds Lorenzo Sonego and Benoit Paire will make their debut on Wednesday. The Italian will face Korda for the second time this year. Sonego won in Montpellier on indoor hard in straight sets. Frenchman Paire will play against Munar. No. 4 seed Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany will open Center Court action against Italian wildcard Flavio Cobolli. The match will start at 10 am local time.
SINGLES R1 – RESULTS
Sebastian Korda (USA) d. [WC] Andreas Seppi (ITA) 6-3 6-4
Lorenzo Musetti (ITA) d. Gianluca Mager (ITA) 4-6 6-1 6-2
[8] Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN) d. Sam Querrey (USA) 3-6 6-3 7-6(3)
Jiri Vesely (CZE) d. Steve Johnson (USA) 7-6(7) 6-2
[7] Aljaz Bedene (SLO) d. Salvatore Caruso (ITA) 6-4 7-6(8)
[WC] Marco Cecchinato (ITA) d. [Q] Raul Brancaccio (ITA) 6-3 7-6(5)
[LL] Norbert Gombos (SVK) d. Emil Ruusuvuori (FIN) 7-6(4) 5-7 6-3
[5] Richard Gasquet (FRA) d. [Q] Daniel Altmaier (GER) 6-3 6-3
[Q] Pedro Martinez (ESP) d. Gilles Simon (FRA) 6-0 6-4
Jaume Munar (ESP) d. [Q] Mikael Ymer (SWE) 6-3 7-6(5)
