World No. 44 Mariano Navone achieved a significant victory by defeating World No. 5 Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-6(4), 7-6(5) to progress to the third round of the Italian Open. This win marked Navone’s first triumph over a top-10 opponent and his entry into the third round of an ATP Masters 1000 event. Navone, who recently won his first ATP Tour title in Bucharest, displayed composure in both tie-breaks against Auger-Aliassime, who faced physical challenges towards the end of the match.
Navone’s strong performance on clay continued as he outplayed Auger-Aliassime, who struggled with leg cramps and mobility issues during crucial moments. Despite Auger-Aliassime’s efforts to push the match to a deciding set, Navone’s resilient play in the tie-break secured his victory. Navone’s flawless run in the tournament, where he has not dropped a set, is anticipated to boost his position in the live ATP rankings.
In contrast, Auger-Aliassime’s defeat added to his struggles on clay this season, with the Canadian facing difficulties in finding his form on the surface. Despite a quarter-final appearance in Monte Carlo, Auger-Aliassime has encountered challenges on clay in 2026. Navone’s unexpected win contributes to the trend of top-10 players exiting early in the men’s draw at the Italian Open. Navone is set to face the victor of the match between Joao Fonseca from Brazil and Hamad Medjedovic from Serbia in the upcoming round.
