Iacovino’s magic: after Taranto, triumph in Sassuolo with Graziotti

First the bronze medal at the Mediterranean Games, then his first international title on the CUPRA FIP Tour. Simone Iacovino’s magical run continues, as he and another Italian national team player, Giulio Graziotti, claimed victory at FIP Bronze Sassuolo. In front of the home crowd, the number 2 seeds overcame the number 1 seeds, Dutchman Thijs Roper and Swede Willy Släryd, in a spectacular match. After a thrilling tie-break in the first set, which the Italian pair won 14-12, Iacovino and Graziotti made a strong start to the second, moving 4-1 ahead before their opponents fought back. After missing two match points at 5-4, the decisive point came shortly afterwards for a 7-5 finish and an outpouring of joy at their first victory as a pair on the FIP international circuit.

 

“It is a victory that means so much,” said Graziotti. “Together, we never stopped believing, not even in the most difficult moments. Through hard work, sacrifices and a few lost finals, we have always tried to lift our heads, return to the court and come back with even more desire to work. We faced everything as a real team, in the good moments but above all in the more difficult ones. And perhaps that is precisely what makes this victory even more special”. “First International Title,” said Iacovino. “Thank you to everyone who has always been there!”.

 

In the women’s draw, the applause went to Marisol Fernandez and Cristina Carrascosa, who defeated Dutch pair Bo Luttikhuis and Janine Hemmes in the final in three sets (7-6 4-6 6-1). For Fernandez, it is her third title in just over two months, following gold in the Mixed event at the FISU World University Championship Padel and her first CUPRA FIP Tour title in Egypt. Carrascosa also celebrates her second title of the season, following her victory in Hong Kong last March.