The excitement at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome reached new heights on May 9, 2025, as Italian tennis star Francesco Passaro pulled off a stunning victory against Grigor Dimitrov, winning 7-5, 6-3. This win not only marked Passaro's advancement to the third round but also highlighted his impressive record against top-30 players, as he has never lost to them in four encounters.
Competing in front of a vibrant home crowd at the Foro Italico, Passaro's performance was a testament to his confidence and skill. After a challenging first set that saw five breaks of serve, Passaro managed to clinch it 7-5, taking advantage of Dimitrov's errors. The second set continued with intense rallies, but Passaro maintained his composure, breaking Dimitrov to lead 5-3 before serving out the match with an ace.
"It was an incredible match," Passaro said after his victory. "Beating a player like Dimitrov, who has made history in tennis, gives me an incredible boost of confidence. I felt prepared and aggressive, and I executed our game plan perfectly. Playing here in front of my home crowd is a dream come true."
As Passaro celebrated his win, the attention shifted to other matches scheduled for the day. Lorenzo Musetti, another rising Italian star, was set to face Finnish player Otto Virtanen in the third match on the Centrale court, while Carlos Alcaraz was making his much-anticipated return to the tournament against Dušan Lajović.
Alcaraz, the world number three, showcased his prowess by defeating Lajović with a dominant scoreline of 6-3, 6-3. After a brief injury layoff following the Barcelona final, Alcaraz expressed relief at his performance. "I felt good moving on the court today. I hope to keep improving as the tournament progresses," he stated after the match.
Musetti, who has been in excellent form this season, started his match against Virtanen with a solid lead of 3-1 in the first set, displaying his aggressive style of play. The match was broadcast live on Sky Sport, with fans eagerly tuning in to support their home favorites.
In other matches, Aryna Sabalenka, the top seed in the women's draw, comfortably defeated Anastasia Potapova with a score of 6-2, 6-2, advancing to the third round. Sabalenka's powerful game continues to impress, and she is considered a strong contender for the title.
As the day unfolded, fans were treated to a variety of exciting matchups, including Jack Draper facing Luciano Darderi and Denis Shapovalov going up against talented newcomer Gaubas. The atmosphere at the Foro Italico was electric, with supporters rallying behind their favorites.
Looking ahead, Jannik Sinner is set to make his debut on Saturday, May 10, against Mariano Navone. After a three-month suspension, Sinner's return is highly anticipated, and he will aim to capitalize on the home crowd's support.
The program for the day included several key matches, with the schedule featuring high-profile players and intense competition. Fans were eager to see how the rest of the tournament would unfold, especially with the potential for more upsets and thrilling performances.
With Passaro's victory and Alcaraz's return to form, the Internazionali BNL d'Italia promises to deliver more exciting tennis action in the coming days. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the Italian players as they seek to make their mark on this prestigious stage.
