New Delhi, May 10: World number 44 Mariano Navone secured a remarkable victory against world number 5 Felix Auger-Aliassime, winning 7-6(4), 7-6(5) to advance to the third round of the Italian Open.
This upset continues the trend of top players exiting early in the tournament, as several top-10 players have faced early defeats in Rome. In the next round, Navone will face the winner of the match between Brazil’s Joao Fonseca and Serbia’s Hamad Medjedovic.
The Argentine player maintained his composure during the nearly three-hour match, marking his first victory against a top-10 player. With this win, Navone has reached the third round of an ATP Masters 1000 tournament for the first time while continuing his impressive performance on clay courts this season.
Navone arrived in Rome after winning his first ATP Tour title in Bucharest earlier this year. He showcased remarkable poise in both tiebreaks. In contrast, Auger-Aliassime struggled with physical issues, experiencing cramps in his legs towards the end of the second set, which hindered his movement on crucial points.
Despite his physical challenges, Auger-Aliassime fought hard, taking a 6-5 lead in the second set and attempting to push the match to a decisive third set. However, Navone made a strong comeback, forcing another tiebreak and ultimately winning with aggressive baseline play and consistent returns.
Earlier in the tournament, Navone had easily defeated his Canadian opponent Denis Shapovalov in the first round, not dropping a single set so far. This victory is expected to improve his position in the live ATP rankings.
Auger-Aliassime has struggled to find his rhythm on clay courts this season. Despite reaching the quarter-finals in Monte Carlo, his win-loss record on clay in 2026 has turned negative.
My name is Narendra Jijhontiya. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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