MONTECARLO (MONACO) (ITALPRESS) – Continues 2026 from nightmare for Matteo Arnaldi. Unconfitted in the decisive round of qualifying but repeated as lucky loser, the 25-year-old Sanremese immediately comes out at the “Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters”, the first Masters 1000 season on the land beat, scheduled at the Country Club in the Principality with a prize pool of 6,309,095 euros. Arnaldi, number 107 of the world and that in this season has never exceeded the first round in the main board of an Atp tournament, yields for 6-2 6-4 against Cristian Garin, number 100 and also he coming from the qualifying. Monte Carlo remains a taboo for Arnaldi, who also lost in the last two years in the first round.
Sebastian Baez will be the opponent of Carlos Alcaraz in the second round. The Argentinean put a double 7-5 in Stan Wawrinka and will challenge the defending champion, number one in the world and the board, making his entrance into the tournament directly in the second round. Reduce from the Miami final lost with Sinner, Jiri Lehecka, number 11 seeding, starts well in the Principality even if it needs three sets to be right of Emilio Nava: 7-6(1) 6-7(8) 6-2 after just over three hours of play. On the other hand, Karen Khachanov, head of series number 12, beat 7-5 6-2 by Arthur Rinderknech, while Andrei Rublev (n.13) ties to the third with Nuno Borges (6-4 1-6 6-1).
DOPPIO, BERRETTINI-VAVASSORI AL 2° TURNO
Reduce from the first “1000” in career won with Simone Bolelli in Miami, Andrea Vavassori departed with a win, this time alongside Matteo Berrettini. The two blues, in the main board thanks to a wild card, defeated the duo formed by Alex de Minaur and Cameron Norrie for 6-4 4-6 10-5. Next rivals Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten, credited with the third series head.
– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
