Aima-Stellato, Dream Tournament in Rovato: Home Triumph for Italian Pair

Winning a tournament in your own country is always a special feeling. Italy’s Emily Stellato and Clarissa Aima experienced exactly that as they claimed the women’s title at the FIP Bronze Hub 4.0 in Rovato. Aima was born in Novara, a place located an hour and a half away from Rovato. The home pair lifted the trophy after defeating the top seeds of this CUPRA FIP Tour event, Victoria Kurz and Anna Ortiz, in the final in three sets (6-2 3-6 6-2). On their way to the title, the champions overcame Carla Mesa and Matilde Minelli, recent silver medallist with Italy at the FIP Junior Euro Padel Cup, 6-3 6-2 in the semi-finals, before defeating Letizia Dell’Agnese and Giulia Pisano 6-0 6-1 in the quarter-finals. “Victory in Rovato!” said Stellato with great delight after the win. The triumph carried special significance for her, having narrowly missed out on the title three times this year by reaching the finals of the FIP Bronze events in Agrigento, Caltanissetta and Teramo.

In the men’s draw, the title went to the second seeds Adri Naranjo and Jaume Romera. In the final, they overcame the in-form pairing of Pedro Melendez and Antonio “Pincho” Fernandez, who arrived in Rovato after winning the FIP Silver in Dublin. The title match ended with a 6-4 6-4 victory, while in the semi-finals the champions had also won in straight sets, defeating Filippo Necchi and Rodrigo Lopez 6-3 6-2. “Champions in Italy!” said Naranjo after the victory. “This week in Italy has been very positive and we played at a very high level. Now we keep improving.”