Milan, July 1, 2026 – Gusts of wind were whipping across Centre Court at the Aspria Harbour Club in Milan when Enrico Dalla Valle clinched the final point of his second-round match against fellow Italian Francesco Passaro.
The heavy rain would hold off for a few more hours. In the meantime, the giant from Ravenna secured a spot in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Aspria Tennis Cup – BCS Trophy, cementing his status as the “derby specialist” of this Milanese week: across four matches on the local clay—spanning both qualifying and the main draw—Dalla Valle has defeated four fellow Italians.
It was another solid performance today, featuring an excellent serve, a penetrating forehand, and mental composure during key moments. There was little Passaro could do, still working his way back to form after a wrist injury. “Perhaps Francesco wasn’t at his best today,” Dalla Valle admitted after the match. Yet, this takes nothing away from the Romagna native’s excellent run of form; he has now reached the quarterfinals at the Challenger level for the sixth time in 2026. “In 2024, I reached more than ten; I hope to repeat that or even improve upon it,” he confided. “I’m playing well and working the right way.”
Next up is a “clash of giants” against the Brazilian Heide—another towering figure on the circuit known for his big serve and forehand—who successfully dispatched the Argentine Barrena 6-0, 7-6. Heide has shown impressive consistency in 2026, having just achieved a career-high ranking and won two Challenger titles (plus one runner-up finish) between April and June.
In other matches at the Milan ATP Challenger—interrupted by rain that lashed the Aspria Harbour Club between 3:00 PM and 5:30 PM—Rincon and Comesana advanced to the quarterfinals. The former prevailed 6-3, 7-6 over the Frenchman Erhard, who was defeated despite having the crowd on his side. The latter—the tournament’s top seed—struggled more than expected against the German player Dedura, prevailing 7-6, 6-7, 6-0 after an arduous marathon lasting three hours and ten minutes. The tenacious eighteen-year-old Dedura gave Comesana a hard time, fighting furiously for every point right up through the second set—during which he even saved five match points—before finally running out of steam in the third set.
Second-round results – Wednesday, July 1
Heide (BRA) def. Barrena (ARG): 6-0, 7-6
Dalla Valle (ITA) def. Passaro (ITA): 6-2, 6-4
Rincon (ESP) def. Herard (FRA): 6-4, 7-6
Comesana (ARG) def. Dedura (GER): 7-6, 6-7, 6-0
Second round concludes tomorrow
Thursday, July 2, will be an Italian showcase at the Aspria Tennis Cup 2026 – BCS Trophy, with five Italians taking the court to wrap up the second round. The highlight is the all-Italian clash between Cecchinato and Brancaccio, topping a schedule that also features Rapagnetta against Diaz Acosta, Martin Manzano facing Jorda Sanchis, and Basile against Moller. Play begins at 10:00 AM.
Admission to the club is by ticket only. Fans can already book seats in the stands at the Aspria Harbour Club (Via Cascina Bellaria); tickets—including those for the new Hospitality Area—are available via the Ticketone network. Alternatively, a ticket office is open at the club itself.
