Lorenzo Sonego was immediately out at the 2026 Internazionali d’Italia. The Turin native was defeated in two sets by the Peruvian Ignacio Buse, who won with a double 6-3 in just over an hour and a half of play, dominating the match. The South American thus enters the second round, where he will face the number 20 seed Frances Tiafoe.
There was also nothing to be done for Luca Nardi, who came back from defeat in the derby against the other Italian Andrea Pellegrino who won 4-6/6-3/6-3 in the last match of the day.
Sinner debuts against Ofner
Instead, Sebastian Ofner will be Jannik Sinner’s opponent in the second round. The Austrian, number 82 in the world, eliminated the American Alex Michelsen with a clear 6-3, 6-3. For the two it will be the first confrontation in the major circuit, even if Sinner won in the only previous one, the Ortisei Challenger final in 2019.
Ofner’s words
«I think it will be a really difficult challenge, he has only lost two matches this year. I will try to play my tennis and give my best, I will have to try something different. I have to think I can beat him, otherwise I wouldn’t even get on the pitch. The serve could be the key: if I could serve well I could try to stay in the match,” Ofner said after the victory.
The match between the Austrian and the Italian number one is scheduled for Saturday 9 May on the Central Court of the Foro Italico. «Pietrangeli is one of the most beautiful courses I have played on. The Italian fans? Sometimes they’re crazy, but it’s a great atmosphere,” Ofner added.