Passaro, Zhang Qualify For Naples Main Draw

The top three seeds in the Tennis Napoli Cup qualifying draw all secured their main-draw spots on Monday, with Nicolas Jarry, Zhang Zhizhen and Francesco Passaro all advancing in Italy.

Third seed Passaro overcame a bagel opening set to defeat fifth seed Filip Misolic 0-6, 6-3, 6-2. The #NextGenATP Italian is in ninth place in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Milan and could move into eighth with an opening-round win against Mackenzie McDonald, depending on other results.

China’s Zhang also battled through three sets in a 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 win against seventh-seeded Italian Giulio Zeppieri. Seeking to become the first Chinese man to break the Top 100 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, Zhang would accomplish that historic feat with two main-draw wins in Naples. He opens against Marton Fucsovics, who sits at No. 100 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings as of Monday evening.

Jarry, the top seed in qualifying, earned a 6-2, 6-4 victory against Italy’s Raul Brancaccio. The Chilean will meet Roberto Carballes Baena in the opening round.

Also advancing through qualifying on Monday was Borna Gojo, a 6-3, 6-4 winner against Italian wild card Stefano Napolitano.

Main-draw play begins Tuesday at the Naples ATP 250 event, with fifth seed Miomir Kecmanovic, seventh seed Albert Ramos-Vinolas and eighth seed Adrian Mannarino all set to feature on centre court.