BERGAMO/STARNBERG, November 22, 2025

Francesco Maestrelli is the last player to reach the semifinals at the Internazionali di Bergamo Trofeo FAIP-Perrel. In the final match on Friday, played almost simultaneously with Italy’s victory that secured a place in the Davis Cup final, Maestrelli defeated Stefano Napolitano 6-3, 7-6.

It was a solid, well-constructed performance in which he confirmed the strong form shown earlier in the week. Physically sharp, he was especially dominant on serve: 17 aces and only 13 points lost behind his delivery allowed him to stay in control throughout. One break was enough to wrap up the first set, while in the second Napolitano managed to hang on despite struggling through a few service games.

The tiebreak seemed decided when Maestrelli went up 6-4, but Napolitano saved the first match point with a somewhat lucky return winner. The contest continued deep into overtime. Maestrelli double-faulted on his third match point (at 7-6), but recovered with a spectacular point at 7-7 and closed it out on his fourth opportunity, keeping alive his hopes of reaching the final for the second straight year. Last season, the ATP Challenger Tour tournament was held in Rovereto.

To repeat that run, he will need to overcome young German Justin Engel, and he can draw confidence from their previous encounter: just three months ago at the Grodzisk Mazowiecki Challenger in Poland, Maestrelli won 6-4, 7-6. Conditions were different then, as the match was played outdoors on hard courts.

FRIDAY RESULTS

Singles Quarterfinals
Marko Topo (GER) d. Francesco Passaro (ITA) 7-5, 6-3
Stefano Travaglia (ITA) d. Federico Arnaboldi (ITA) 6-3, 6-3
Justin Engel (GER) d. Andrea Guerrieri (ITA) 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(4)
Francesco Maestrelli (ITA) d. Stefano Napolitano (ITA) 6-3, 7-6(7)

Doubles Semifinals
Joshua Paris / Marcus Willis (GBR/GBR) d. Theo Arribage / Albano Olivetti (FRA/FRA) 6-1, 7-5
Davis Poljak / Tim Ruehl (CZE/GER) d. Jarno Jans / Niels Visker (NED/NED) 6-4, 5-7, 10-5