Rome Open ATP Day One Round-Up | Rain-shortened day sees Tabilo progress and Hurkacz eliminated

Wednesday, 06 May 2026 at 22:35

The Rome Open ATP first round combined controlled performances with matches decided by narrow margins, as Alejandro Tabilo, Nuno Borges and Aleksandar Vukic progressed through distinct patterns. Matteo Arnaldi also advanced in three sets, while Sebastián Báez required a tiebreak to close out his match.

The day also featured a notable result with Hubert Hurkacz’s exit and a key missed opportunity for Zhizhen Zhang, who was unable to convert match points against Daniel Altmaier. In parallel, rain delays interrupted parts of the schedule, leaving several matches unfinished.

Vukic separates late to close with bagel

Aleksandar Vukic def. Patrick Kypson 6-3, 5-7, 6-0

Aleksandar Vukic established early control by taking the opening set with a single break, managing his service games without sustained pressure. Patrick Kypson responded in the second set by holding more consistently and converting a narrow opportunity to level the match.

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The match shifted immediately in the deciding set, where Vukic secured an early break and extended the margin quickly. Kypson was unable to interrupt the sequence, with games progressing in one direction.

The 6-0 final set reflects the separation that emerged after one set all, with Vukic managing the transition phase more effectively to move into the second round.

Borges builds momentum into dominant finish

Nuno Borges def. Jesper de Jong 6-3, 6-0

Nuno Borges moved through an even opening phase before creating the first separation late in the first set. Jesper de Jong remained close early but struggled to maintain service consistency once trailing.

The second set developed into a one-sided stretch, with Borges extending his lead through consecutive breaks. De Jong was unable to disrupt the pattern as the games progressed quickly.

Borges’ sustained run, combined with De Jong winning just 33% of service points in the second set, defined the outcome. He advances to face 32nd seed Rafael Jodar in the next round.

Tabilo controls from start to finish

Alejandro Tabilo def. Pablo Carreño Busta 6-2, 6-1

Alejandro Tabilo established immediate separation with a double break in the opening set, creating a clear scoreboard advantage from the early stages. Pablo Carreño Busta was unable to recover that deficit, while Tabilo maintained stable service games to close out the set without disruption. The second set followed the same pattern, with the Chilean moving ahead early once again and preventing any shift in momentum.

The match remained structurally one-sided, with no extended fluctuations or recovery phases from Carreño Busta. Tabilo completed the win in just over an hour, confirming a controlled performance from start to finish.

He now sets up a second-round meeting with Francisco Cerúndolo in an all-South American clash, while also rising to No. 32 in the live rankings, positioning himself for a potential seeded spot at Roland Garros.

Arnaldi edges Munar in balanced decider

Matteo Arnaldi def. Jaume Munar 6-3, 3-6, 6-3

Matteo Arnaldi took the opening set through a single break, holding serve effectively. Jaume Munar responded in the second set, reversing the pattern to force a decider.

The third set remained close, with neither player separating early. Arnaldi secured the decisive break late, which allowed him to serve out the match.

The contest was defined by alternating control, with Arnaldi managing the closing phase more effectively to advance.

Báez converts late after extended finish

Sebastián Báez def. Jenson Brooksby 6-3, 7-6

Sebastián Báez secured the first set with a late break, establishing a narrow margin. The second set remained on serve, leading into a tiebreak.

The closing stages were extended, with Báez requiring multiple opportunities before converting his seventh match point to seal the win. Despite maintaining the lead, finishing the match required persistence in key moments.

Báez progresses into the second round after closing out the tiebreak under pressure.

Hanfmann overturns Hurkacz after two tiebreaks

Yannick Hanfmann def. Hubert Hurkacz 6-7, 7-6, 6-2

Hubert Hurkacz took the opening set in a tiebreak in a match defined early by stable service games. The second set followed a similar pattern before Yannick Hanfmann edged the tiebreak to level.

The deciding set shifted away from that structure, with Hanfmann creating early separation and extending the lead. Hurkacz was unable to maintain the same service stability.

Hanfmann advances into the second round, while Hurkacz exits after two tight sets that did not translate into a win.

Altmaier completes comeback after Zhang misses chances

Daniel Altmaier def. Zhizhen Zhang 4-6, 7-6, 6-4

Zhizhen Zhang took the opening set and moved into a strong position late in the second, where he held match points at 5-4. However, he was unable to convert those opportunities, allowing Daniel Altmaier to extend the set.

The match shifted in the second-set tiebreak, where Altmaier regained control and levelled the contest. From that point, momentum moved away from Zhang.

In the deciding set, an early break proved decisive as Altmaier maintained the advantage. Zhang was unable to recover after the missed chances, and Altmaier advanced following a match defined by a narrow turning point.

Rain delay suspends remaining matches

Play suspended on selected courts

Play was interrupted across parts of the Rome Open due to rain, affecting multiple matches in the men’s draw. Dino Prižmić led Márton Fucsovics after taking the first set 6-4, while Jacob Fearnley held a 5-4 advantage with a single break against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard when play was halted.

Federico Cinà and Alexander Blockx were unable to begin their match due to the conditions. With delays extending into the evening, scheduling adjustments remain possible depending on weather conditions.

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Lucas MichaelTennis Journalist

Lucas Michael is a tennis journalist based in Cambridge, UK, specializing in comprehensive coverage of the ATP and WTA tours. For the past 1.5 years, he has been a core contributor to TennisUpToDate, where he has authored more than 3,000 data-driven match reports, deep-dive analysis pieces, and engaging liveblogs.

Lucas pairs real-time statistical analysis with on-the-ground reporting, frequently traveling to tournaments to cover the action firsthand from the press box and player press conferences. This blend of advanced metrics and direct access allows him to provide sharp context regarding player form, tactical trends, and breaking tour developments.

He holds a BA (Hons) in Sports Journalism. Grounded in core journalistic ethics, Lucas places a strict emphasis on meticulous sourcing, editorial accuracy, and a commitment to updating live content swiftly as verified information emerges.

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