WATCH OUT FOR BABY GARBERO!
Bergamo’s hopes are now spilling over into the main draw. Led by the Roman Gabriele Pennaforti, it sees two other players – or rather, three – registered for TC Mille at the starting line. Unlucky draw for Filiberto Fumagalli (who collected his first ATP points last year), opposed to the Argentinian Juan Bautista Otegui (no. 7 on the scoreboard), while it went a little better for Leonardo Borrelli, born in 2005 than last year October made a great impression against Mikhail Kukushkin at the Challenger tournament. He will face Luciano Carraro (n.823 ATP). While waiting for the outcome of the qualifiers, there are already 17 Italians.
Of the seven foreigners, there is no doubt that the most anticipated is Mariano Kestelboim, reigning finalist and number 2 on the draw. Kestelboim is a member of TC Mille and is a sort of idol of the Bergamo club. The urn told him well, since he is certain to face only qualifiers in the first two rounds. The big feeling of the day, however, came at dinner time. Everyone expected Rafael Ymer, younger brother of Elias and Mikael, but instead the very young Filippo Francesco Garbero emerged. Born in 2009 (!), he is in his first year of Under 16 and trains at the Piatti Tennis Center in Bordighera. Still frail, he thrilled those present with an explosive forehand and a very complete game. Some have indulged in lofty comparisons, citing Sinner or Arnaldi, but after all, who knew them when they were Garbero’s current age? He is still very early, but Bergamo – in his heart – dreams of having baptized another star. After all, in 2017, he was a fifteen-year-old girl who won at the TC Mille. Her name? Iga Swiatek…
