Madrid, Luca Nardi and Fabio Fognini in the decisive round of qualifying

Both of the Italians at the starting ribbons have reached the decisive round of the qualifiers of the “Mutua Madrid Open,” the fourth Masters 1000 of the season, endowed with a prize money of 8,055,385 euros, which is played on the clay of the “Caja Magica” in the Spanish capital (combined with a WTA 1000).

Luca Nardi, No. 102 ATP and 15th seed in the “quali”, in his second participation (in 2023 he lost to Struff in the first round of the qualifiers), beat 64 64 the Indian Manas Dhamne, 17 years old, No. 775 in the ranking and on the scoreboard thanks to a wild card, never faced before in his career. The 21-year-old from Pesaro will play for a main draw pass with Frenchman Hugo Gaston, No. 82 ATP and fourth seed, who beat 76(6) 46 64 German Yannick Hanfmann, No. 131 in the rankings. Nardi and Gaston will face each other for the first time.

Fabio Fognini, No. 114 ATP and 22nd seed, who is playing the tournament for the 15th time (the round of 16 in 2019 stopped by Thiem his best result), defeated Swiss Alexander Ritschard, No. 133 ranking, 61 76(6) in the first round. Again, this was an unprecedented challenge.

Fognini will next find Australian Rinky Hijikata, No. 85 ATP, whom he has never faced, in the qualifying round. The fourth seed, Hijikata eliminated South African Lloyd Harris, No. 146 in the rankings who withdrew when he was down 64 67(11) 41..