The grit of Francesco Passaro. In a match spread over two daysour standard bearer conquered Pietrangelibatting with a score of 6-7 (3) 7-5 7-6 (7) the French Arthur Rinderknech (n.73 in the ranking) in first round of the 2024 Italian Internationals.
After a rainy evening yesterday, the sun welcomed the success of the Italian who will therefore play a second round for the first time at the Foro Italico and will face the Dutch Tallon Griekspoor (n.23 of the seeding). The match resumed at 6-5 in favor of Passaro in the second set. Our standard bearer was able to confirm the break gained yesterday and archived the practice of the advantage fraction.
In the third set great balance on the pitch, but the blue is preferred in the exchange. Especially with the forehand, Passaro hurts and the Frenchman struggles to find a way to defend himself. In the seventh game the Italian player has two break chances, but Rinderknech saves himself. We go to the tie-break and it’s a seesaw of pure emotions. Passaro runs away at 5-1 and gets a bit of a blow.
The Umbrian suffered a partial comeback from his rival, but at 6-4 he had the chance to close. However, an attacking forehand is not incisive and the transalpine’s down-the-line backhand is lethal. The Frenchman is therefore the one ahead at 7-6 and is not sufficiently incisive in response this gives strength to the Italian who goes on to achieve a very important success with class and determination.
