Overview
- Jacob Fearnley defeated Fabio Fognini 6-2, 6-3 in the first round of the Italian Open, advancing to face Matteo Berrettini in the second round.
- The victory marks another milestone in Fearnley's career, consolidating his rise to a career-high ATP ranking of No. 57.
- Fognini, a clay-court specialist and eight-time ATP singles champion, revealed this was his final appearance at his home tournament in Rome.
- Fearnley showcased resilience, recovering from early breaks in both sets to dominate the match, sealing victory in just over an hour and 20 minutes.
- A unique moment occurred during the match as the live announcement of the new Pope added a distinctive atmosphere to the stadium.