Another Italian feat at Roland Garros: Matteo Arnaldi claws his way into the round of 16
Matteo Arnaldi like Matteo Berrettini. The Ligurian imitated his Roman compatriot and clawed his way into the Roland Garros round of 16 by beating in five sets the more emblazoned Belgian Raphael Collignon (who showed up in Paris with the number 62 position in the ATP ranking, against his 104). The azure managed to prevail after more than five hours of play with the score of 6-4, 6-7(5), 5-7, 6-4, 7-6(4) winning back as many as two sets from his opponent and even ending the contest in a tie-break. In the next round he will face either the American Frances Tiafoe or Portugal’s Jaime Faria.
He was certainly not an opponent to be underestimated, Collignon: the Belgian born in 2002 had come to Paris in great shape, on the strength of his victory for the second consecutive year at the Atkinsons Monza Open, ATP Challenger 125 tournament, where he had overcome Croatian Dino Prizmic in the final with a score of 7-6, 6-3. An opponent therefore in confidence, whom Arnaldi was able to tame with character and determination in a battle that lasted more than five hours.
The victory takes on an even sweeter flavor when one considers Arnaldi’s overall record at this Roland Garros. The Ligurian had already overcome a first round that was anything but easy, beating Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands – the number 29 seed – at the end of a marathon of exactly four hours with a score of 6-7(9), 3-6, 7-6(6), 6-3, showing character and mental solidity in coming back from a two-set disadvantage. He had then accomplished another feat in the second round, eliminating Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas – former top 3 and finalist in Paris in 2021 – in four sets with a score of 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-3, 6-2, taking heavy revenge after his own defeat against the Greek in the round of 16 at Roland Garros 2024.
The one achieved today represents Arnaldi’s best career result in Paris, passing just the fourth round in 2024. An achievement that comes at a moment of newfound confidence for the Ligurian, capable of beating in this tournament three opponents of increasing level by remounting disadvantage situations that could have discouraged anyone. Qualifying for the round of 16 will also have a significant impact on his ATP ranking: having started from position number 104, the Paris result will guarantee him a substantial points recovery.
Arnaldi, as mentioned, is not the only Italian to celebrate on Saturday: Matteo Berrettini also reached the round of 16, overcoming Argentine Francisco Comesaña in five hours and a quarter of play with a score of 6(3)-7, 7-5, 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-6(13) in a match of extraordinary intensity. For the Roman, who had been missing at Roland Garros for five years, it was his second best personal best result in Paris since the quarterfinals in 2021, and his first eighth final at a Slam since Wimbledon 2023. Berrettini, like Arnaldi, will also make an overpowering return to the top 100 after slipping to position number 105 in the latest ATP ranking update.
