The prestigious ATP-1000 clay court event in Rome, Italy, moved into its second day of main draw action on May 7th, 2026. The day featured a full slate of first-round singles matches, with several notable outcomes and competitive encounters across the courts.
One of the day's most significant results saw Australian Alexei Popyrin deliver a commanding performance against Italian star Matteo Berrettini. Popyrin secured a convincing straight-sets victory, winning 6-2, 6-3, to advance to the next round. In another upset, Czech player Tomas Machac knocked out Greek favorite Stefanos Tsitsipas in a tight two-set battle, taking the match 6-4, 7-6(4).
The Italian contingent experienced mixed fortunes on home soil. While Berrettini fell to Popyrin, other local players had varying results. Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain defeated Francesco Maestrelli 6-3, 7-6(2). In an all-Italian clash, Andrea Pellegrino overcame Luca Nardi in three sets, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. Federico Cina lost to Belgium's Alexander Blockx after a three-set struggle, 6-4, 1-6, 3-6, and Mattia Bellucci advanced past Argentina's Roman Andres Burruchaga with a 6-4, 6-4 win.
Several other matches went the distance. Argentina's Cristian Garin edged out Juan Manuel Cerundolo in two close sets, 7-6(2), 7-5. Great Britain's Jacob Fearnley fought back to win the second set against France's Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard but ultimately fell in the decider, with the final score reading 6-7(6), 6-4, 2-6 in the Frenchman's favor. American Ethan Quinn also went three sets but was defeated by Spain's Pablo Llamas Ruiz, 3-6, 7-5, 3-6.
Elsewhere, Serbia's Miomir Kecmanovic moved past Czech Dalibor Svrčina in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3. Hungary's Marton Fucsovics was eliminated by Croatia's Dino Prizmic, 4-6, 3-6. Veteran Marin Cilic of Croatia defeated American Marcos Giron 7-5, 6-4. Georgia's Nikoloz Basilashvili needed three sets to get past Spain's Daniel Merida-Aguilar, winning 6-4, 2-6, 6-3.
The day also saw comfortable wins for several other competitors. Serbia's Hamad Medjedovic beat France's Valentin Royer 6-4, 6-3. Peru's Ignacio Buse dispatched Italy's Lorenzo Sonego 6-3, 6-3. Austria's Sebastian Ofner advanced with an identical 6-3, 6-3 scoreline against American Alex Michelsen. Argentina's Mariano Navone had a strong showing against Canada's Denis Shapovalov, winning 6-4, 6-2. France's Terence Atman progressed after defeating Belgium's Zizou Bergs 6-3, 6-4.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.
