MILAN/STARNBERG, June 25, 2025
Regardless of the final result, the most encouraging aspect of Jacopo Vasami’s performance at the ASPRIA Tennis Cup – Trofeo BCS is the quality of the signs he’s showing. The 17-year-old from Italy backed up his solid first-round display with another mature, composed outing to reach the quarterfinals of the ATP Challenger Tour 75 event in Milan. Facing a tough opponent in Mili Poljicak — a former Wimbledon junior champion — Vasami showed grit, adaptability, and a growing mental toughness. After dropping the first set, he found solutions, dominated the second, and fought tooth and nail in the third to seal a hard-fought 3-6, 6-1, 7-5 victory and earn his spot in the final eight.
Lombardy clearly brings him luck: less than three months ago he reached his first Challenger quarterfinal in Monza, then triumphed at the prestigious Trofeo Bonfiglio. Now, in Milan, he’s the undisputed rising star of the tournament — not just because of his youth (he’ll turn 18 just before Christmas) or his flashy tennis, but because of his court presence and maturity well beyond his age.
Poljicak, currently in strong form, presented a difficult puzzle. With limited athleticism but sharp, compact strokes, he’s not easy to read. Vasami needed a set to adjust, then took command in the second. In the deciding set, momentum briefly swung to the Croat. Down 2-1 and serving at deuce, Vasami double-faulted and followed it up with a reckless net charge, giving away a break. Yet he remained composed, fully aware that matches end only with a handshake. His patience was rewarded when Poljicak, increasingly fatigued, began to shorten points with unsuccessful drop shots.
The Embrace of His Team
A failed drop shot into the net gave Vasami the break back at 4-3. Then came the decisive blow in game eleven, as Poljicak’s physical condition visibly declined. There was a brief moment of suspense when the center net slackened between Vasami’s first and second serves on match point, causing a short delay. No problem: Poljicak hit a return into the net, and Vasami celebrated with a broad smile towards his team. The most heartfelt moment came when coach Fabrizio Zeppieri embraced fitness trainer Nicolo Chiapperini — the image of a healthy, supportive environment behind a promising talent.
Vasami won’t be the only Italian in the quarters. He’ll be joined by Marco Cecchinato, who quietly arrived in Milan with little fanfare but found his rhythm and cruised past Frederico Ferreira Silva, conceding just three games. Next, Cecchinato faces Max Houkes, a 25-year-old Dutchman rediscovering his form in Milan after five consecutive first-round exits. There’s already buzz about a potential all-Italian semifinal — a real generational clash with 15 years between them. Regardless of the outcome, the biggest news from the ASPRIA Harbour Club is that Vasami is looking more and more like the real deal.
Spain’s Next Rafa? Meet Rafael Jodar
Watching Rafael Jodar in action is like discovering a raw diamond. His ball-striking is dazzling — the kind rarely seen on the Challenger circuit. The ASPRIA Tennis Cup is just the fourth tournament of the season for the 18-year-old from Madrid, who shares only a first name with Nadal. Standing at 1.90m, Jodar is built for fast courts — fitting for a player who won the US Open junior title. After dispatching Lorenzo Giustino in straight sets, he battled from behind to defeat Portugal’s Tiago Pereira 4-6, 7-5, 6-1.
Jodar held strong in the crucial second set. Up 5-3 on serve, he misjudged a return he thought was out, only for it to clip the line. That lapse let Pereira back into the set. But at 6-5, Jodar struck three stunning returns to earn a set point, which he claimed after a Pereira double fault. The third set was a one-man show. Jodar now faces France’s Arthur Gea in the quarterfinals.
“I knew Pereira would make it hard, and he did,” Jodar said. “He broke early, and it was very tight. The match came down to a few key points.” Though he spent a semester at the University of Virginia, representing the Cavaliers, Jodar is a proud madrileño. “It’s true Madrid hasn’t produced many top players, not like Barcelona. But now that’s changing. There’s Martin Landaluce, and I see many strong young players when I go home.”
Like Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti, Jodar started playing tennis at home — in his case, a garage in the Madrid suburb of Leganés. “I must have been three or four. Seeing my passion, my father signed me up at Club de Tenis Chamartín, and I grew from there. I love all sports — I played soccer but chose tennis. I believe sports help develop values that apply to life. That’s my real goal.”
His flat, powerful strokes and explosive serve don’t fit the typical Spanish mold. With young coach Alberto Romero (born in 1997, former World No. 583) by his side, Jodar admits mobility is his main weakness. “I’ve played a lot this year, I’ve developed, and I know what to work on. It’s a process, and everyone’s is different. For me, the most important thing is to know what to improve — and enjoy being on court.”
From College Star to Challenger Contender
In Virginia, Jodar posted a strong 19-3 singles record and earned Rookie of the Year honors. Unlike Joao Fonseca, who turned pro after initially committing to UVA, Jodar embraced the college experience. “I arrived in January and had to adapt quickly — within two weeks I was playing matches. I met great people and made new friends. I’d recommend the experience to anyone. You train hard and work with coaches who really care about the team.”
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. In a match against Stanford, Jodar was defaulted after smashing a ball in frustration. “I had won the first set and we were close in the second. I lost my temper and hit a ball that the umpire thought was aimed at the stands. I knew I was wrong. But you learn from mistakes. That episode taught me a lot — it won’t happen again.”
A Real Madrid fan, Jodar was honored by the mayor of Madrid after his US Open win and even met Jude Bellingham at the Santiago Bernabéu. But he hasn’t forgotten his roots. “The most important person in my life is my dad — he got me into sports. He wanted me to be active, no matter the sport, and I chose tennis. He takes care of me. Of course, my whole family matters. And my friends — both in Madrid and Virginia — keep me grounded. When I’m with them, I don’t think about tennis, which is crucial. Thinking about tennis nonstop can burn you out. Studying helps too.”
And for those wondering if he was named after Nadal: the answer is no. It’s a family name — both his father and grandfather are also named Rafael. When told that Nadal won his first Challenger in Italy (Barletta 2003), Jodar smiles. “I’d love to follow in his footsteps. But first, I’ve got a tough match tomorrow — I’m already focused on that.”
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