From Perugia: The report of the evening session with tomorrow’s program. Fabio Fognini “From here to the US Open”

“A perfect day”, Francesco Passaro’s words lend themselves to a faithful description of the tennis evening experienced by the public at the City of Perugia Tennis Internationals | GIMa. Tennis Cup. Repeating Tuesday’s success, once again the Central Center of the Perugia Tennis Club was invaded by enthusiasts and curious people until it was full. In the late afternoon match it was the turn of the home idol Francesco Passaro, who defeated Franco Agamenone 6-1 6-3. For the first time in his career the Perugian thus reaches the quarter-finals of the ATP Challenger 125 organized by MEF Tennis Events in his city. In the evening the most awaited battle did not betray expectations. The master beats the student, Fabio Fognini beats Matteo Gigante 6-4 7-5. The quarter-finals will take place on Friday 14 June, starting at 1pm with Nagal-Kasnikowski, then Djere-Zapata Miralles. The best will be again in the evening: at 6.00 pm Passaro-Altmaier, followed at 8.30 pm by Darderi-Fognini.

A sold-out Fognini: “From here to the US Open” – “Is everyone rooting for me? Maybe it’s because I’m older,” he doesn’t lose his desire to joke and have fun Fabio Fognini. The setting of Perugia is simply wonderful. The full house at Centrale appreciates and applauds Matteo Gigante, but the loudest roars are all for Fabio. The player from Taggia won 6-4 7-5, overcoming a deficit of 2-5 in the second set, which saved him from the risks and hardships of a possible third set: “I’m happy, obviously happy to have won a good match . The crowd is really warm and I’m waiting for him for the quarter-final against Luciano Darderi. For me, against everyone, it’s basically master against student given my age, but I’m here because I still want to play and my goal is the main draw of the US Open. Times have changed, I have other priorities, but I continue to have fun and as long as that is the case I will continue.” Currently number 102 in the world, Fognini continues to chase victories for the New York goal which will also include Friday’s match against Luciano Darderi. It will be evening time again for the assault on number 41 and first seed of the Umbrian tournament: “he is a Top 50 player, he has made a huge leap in level and we will have to run. At the end of the tournament I will return to Perugia to visit this city that makes you walk a lot.”

Passaro continues to dream – Quick and painless, Francesco Passaro couldn’t have asked for anything better for his second match in Perugia. In front of his audience, the world number 133 failed to beat Franco Agamenone, who was defeated with an eloquent 6-1 6-3. From start to finish it was a solo for the player who recently won the Turin Challenger and reached a third round at the Italian Internationals: “A perfect day and particularly emotional for me. On the court I expressed myself with a very good level of tennis and a continuous attitude, the fans gave me a hand. At Challenger level there are no easy victories, the level has risen and everyone wants to score points to move up in the rankings. The energy saved will come in handy in the quarter-finals.” After signing autographs for the many fans present, Francesco underlined the extraordinary nature of what his city is also experiencing thanks to the results of the Italians: “Tennis is growing thanks to the results of Jannik and the many other guys on the circuit. In Perugia we are reaping the fruits and I am really pleased to see all these people.” Tomorrow there will be the difficult quarter-final against Daniel Altmaier, a real watershed for the hopes of the Umbrian fans.

Court 1 – Center Court – 1pm
Sumit Nagal vs Maks Kasnikowski
Bernabe Zapata Miralles vs Laslo Djere (Not before 3pm)
Daniel Altmaier vs Francesco Passaro (Not before 6pm)
Luciano Darderi vs Fabio Fognini (Not before 8.30pm)

Court 3 – Court 3 – 1pm
Guido Andreozzi / Miguel Reyes-Varela vs Fernando Romboli / Marcelo Zormann
N. Sriram Balaji / Andre Begemann vs Federico Cina / Francesco Maestrelli

Results for Thursday 13 June
2nd round
Luciano Darderi (1/WC) b. Andrea Pellegrino 6-3 6-3
Fabio Fognini (5/WC) b. Matteo Gigante 6-4 7-5
Daniel Altmaier (4) b. Stefano Travaglia 6-3 7-6(4)
Francesco Passaro (8) b. Franco Agamemenone 6-1 6-3