In a stunning upset that few saw coming, Italian qualifier Mattia Bellucci knocked out second-seeded Russian Daniil Medvedev from the ATP Rotterdam Open overnight. The Italian tennis star had opportunities to close the match in straight sets. Still, he ultimately prevailed in a grueling contest, securing a 6-3 6-7(6) 6-3 victory to book his spot in the quarterfinals of the ATP 500 event.

Bellucci Takes Early Control

Bellucci set the tone early, breaking Medvedev and winning the last three games of the opening set to claim it 6-3. The Russian tennis star, the defending champion, found himself on the back foot as the Italian showcased fearless shot-making and consistency.

The second set saw Medvedev fight back, racing to a 4-1 lead. However, Bellucci responded with impressive resilience, breaking the Russian and forcing a tiebreak. The Italian had a match point at 6-5 in the tiebreak, but the 28-year-old saved it and won three consecutive points to take the set 8-6, pushing the match into a decider.

Medvedev’s Missed Chances Cost Him

The final set was a test of nerve, and while Medvedev had multiple opportunities, he failed to capitalize. The stats suggested the Russian was in control, creating six breakpoint chances and winning 67% of his first-serve points. However, he could not convert any of those break points. In contrast, Bellucci seized his lone break opportunity in the penultimate game, then held serve to love to close the match in two hours and 55 minutes.

Bellucci finished the match with 35 winners and 55 unforced errors, while Medvedev recorded 30 and 51 unforced errors. One key difference was their success in break point conversion: the 23-year-old converted three of eight chances, while the Russian managed just one of 12.

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Historic Victory and Quarterfinal Clash

This victory marks Bellucci’s first career win over a Top 10 player and propels him up 16 places to No. 76 in the ATP live rankings. The 23-year-old, who also reached the quarterfinals in Atlanta in July 2024, will now face the winner of sixth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas and local Dutch hope Tallon Griekspoor in the last eight.

For Medvedev, the loss is another setback in what has been a challenging start to the season. After suffering a second-round defeat to American teenager Learner Tien at the Australian Open, the Russian was unable to impose his game on Bellucci. He particularly struggled on his second serve, where he won just 42% of points. Medvedev was the first seed to exit this year’s event.

Bellucci was not the only Italian qualifier to advance, as Andrea Vavassori progressed via opponent retirement after Felix Auger-Aliassime withdrew at one set apiece. Meanwhile, Griekspoor defeated Matteo Berrettini, while eighth-seeded Hubert Hurkacz and Hungarian Fabian Marozsan also secured victories.

Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports