In a stunning upset at the ATP Italian Open in Rome, Francesco Passaro defeated the 15th-ranked Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets, 7-5, 6-3, on Friday, May 9, 2025. This victory marks a significant milestone for Passaro, who is ranked 101 and has only recently begun to make his mark on the professional circuit.
The match, part of the round of 64, showcased the intensity of competition on the clay courts of the Foro Italico. Dimitrov, a seasoned player who has previously reached as high as number 3 in the world rankings, started the year plagued by injuries. He had to retire during the final of the Brisbane International and again in the first round of the Australian Open due to a hip issue. Despite some recovery, including a semifinal appearance at the Miami Open where he lost to Novak Djokovic, Dimitrov struggled to find his rhythm against the local favorite.
Passaro, 24, entered the match with a growing confidence after his earlier victory against qualifier Chun-Hsin Tseng, where he won decisively, 6-0, 2-6, 6-3. The Italian crowd rallied behind him, creating an electrifying atmosphere that undoubtedly fueled his performance against Dimitrov.
In their previous encounter at the Australian Open earlier this year, Dimitrov had to retire in the second set due to his hip injury, handing Passaro a victory by default. This time, however, Passaro was determined to secure a complete win. The first set was tightly contested, with Dimitrov initially taking the lead. However, after losing his serve early, he managed to recover and even take the lead at one point. Yet, Passaro’s resilience shone through as he edged out the first set.
As the second set unfolded, Passaro’s confidence surged. He capitalized on Dimitrov’s inconsistent play, especially during crucial moments. The Italian managed to string together three consecutive games to close out the match, sealing his place in the next round, where he will face either Argentinian qualifier Roman Andres Burruchaga or the 23rd seed, Karen Khachanov.
"This victory means a lot to me, especially in front of my home crowd," Passaro said in a post-match interview. "I knew I had to stay focused and play my game. Grigor is a tough opponent, but I believed in myself and my abilities."
Dimitrov’s exit from the tournament raises questions about his form and fitness as he continues to battle through a challenging season. With a career win-loss record of 473-299 and nine titles to his name, the Bulgarian has certainly established himself as a formidable player on the tour. However, his current year-to-date record stands at 14-8, a stark contrast to his previous performances.
As the ATP Italian Open progresses, the spotlight now shifts to Passaro, who aims to capitalize on this momentum. His ability to defeat a top 30 player for the fourth time in his career not only boosts his confidence but also revitalizes hopes for Italian tennis, which has seen several players exit the tournament early.
"We’ve had a rough start with many early exits, so this win is a breath of fresh air for Italian tennis," Passaro commented. "I hope to keep this going and make my country proud."
Looking ahead, the Italian Open promises more thrilling matches as the tournament unfolds. Passaro’s next challenge will be crucial as he seeks to advance further and potentially face some of the tournament's top seeds. With players like Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti yet to debut in this year’s tournament, the competition is only expected to intensify.
As for Dimitrov, the focus now shifts to recovery and reassessing his strategy for the remainder of the season. The Bulgarian has shown resilience in the past, and fans will be eager to see how he bounces back from this setback.
In conclusion, Francesco Passaro’s unexpected victory over Grigor Dimitrov has set the stage for an exciting continuation of the ATP Italian Open, showcasing the unpredictable nature of tennis and the rising talents within the sport.
