Francesco Passaro could be on a plane, or gone to prepare a Challenger. But luck smiled on him on Monday, and the Italian found himself propelled to the second round of theAustralian Openwhere he will find the French Benjamin Bonzi. Improbable, since he lost in the last round of qualifying last Thursday. But, on Monday, he was warned by his compatriot Fabio Fognini that he would play in the big picture because the Italian veteran was going to forfeit. The organization was notified, and here he is opposed to Grigor Dimitrov at the 1573 Arena. An hour later, the Bulgarian gave up, trailing 7-5, 2-1, and the 24-year-old offered himself a double first: the Top 100 and a Grand Slam victory. “It’s a weight that I take off my shoulders a little” he admitted.
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“In addition to being a great player, Fognini is a very good person”
“We knew that some were not at their best, but no one wanted to withdraw until the end” confided Francesco Passaro104th in the world, in Ubitennis. “Then Fabio (Fognini) warned us a little earlier than he did to the organization, which gave me time to prepare in the best possible way. I thank him for thinking to me and I wish him a speedy recovery. In addition to being a great player, he is also a very good person.”
“It wasn’t easy. Yesterday we were at the venue from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., hoping. Again today we arrived at 9 a.m., I warmed up with Jannik (Sinner) at the Rod Laver Arena … It was a very long day, but in the end, I’m happy. Of course, winning by abandonment is never pleasant, but as it’s my first Grand Slam victory, I’m still happy. that I deserved it, for all the efforts, sacrifices and injuries I have had over the last two years, which have not allowed me to enter the top 100.” Everything comes in time to those who wait.
