A surface that he had put aside in recent seasons but decided to return to play on it in 2024, without particular objectives. Fabio Fognini has started winning on grass again almost three years later, practically since the 2021 edition of Wimbledon, obtaining victory number 420 on the major circuit.
A good performance from the Italian in the ATP 250 in Mallorca, in which he will now play in the round of 16: the Sanremo player, at the starting line of the main draw thanks to a wild card, had to play two tie-breaks against the lucky loser Gijs Brouwer (who has achieved good results recently and is quite comfortable on this pitch).
In both cases, the blue was able to be more lucid and skilled than his opponent (7-4 and 7-5). Now he will face the American Eubanks or the Czech Mensik. First success on grass for Luciano Darderi, who again in Spain beat the home player Pedro Martinez in two sets.
The Italian, fifth seed in the main draw, had to fight for two hours against the Iberian player to come out on top with a double 7-5. After the excellent performance in Halle against Struff, the world number 37 confirmed that he can also do well on this surface.
Now he will face the Austrian Ofner or the Spanish Munar. Luca Nardi, however, surrendered in the first round in Mallorca: the Australian Rinky Hijikata beat the Pesaro player 6-2, 2-6, 7-5. Although the 20-year-old regained the set lead, he was unable to complete the comeback.
Cocciaretto withdraws, will return to Wimbledon
Elisabetta Cocciaretto has decided not to participate in the WTA 250 in Bad Homburg. After the semi-final in Birmingham, the Italian preferred to give up the appointment in Germany to completely recharge her physical energy in view of the London Slam.
