Volandri, Cecchinato Rally On Boathouse In Milan

Before competing on the slow red clay of the ATP Challenger Tour event in Milan, Italy, two Italian stars had a fun hit on a much different surface.

Marco Cecchinato and 2013 champion Filippo Volandri hit a few balls on the boathouse on the Naviglio river, located in the Darsena district in Milan. The oldest canal along the river began being built in the 12^th century, while the port Darsena was built in 1603 as a trade hub. There’s also a weekly market held in Darsena on Saturdays, which has become a popular tourist attraction in Milan.

Both Volandri and Cecchinato play their first-round matches in Milan on Tuesday. Cecchinato, the No. 5 seed, plays Juan Ignacio Londero of Argentina, while Volandri takes on qualifier and fellow Italian Lorenzo Sonego.