Challenger Finals Preview: Get To Know Marco Cecchinato

A native of Palermo, on the Italian island of Sicily, Marco Cecchinato is one of two players from Italy in the ATP Challenger Tour Finals. Looking to follow in the footsteps of 2013 champion Filippo Volandri, Cecchinato and countryman Paolo Lorenzi will seek to cap their seasons with a title at the year-end championships in Sao Paulo. The 23 year old is making steady progress in the Emirates ATP Rankings, breaking into the Top 100 for the first time in late July and peaking at World No. 82 last month.  

Tied for second among match wins leaders on the Challenger circuit in 2015, the Italian owns a 44-14 record, with all victories coming on clay. Only Inigo Cervantes has claimed more wins (45) this year. Cecchinato contested two finals in his 2015 campaign, prevailing on home soil in Turin in early May for his lone title and second overall (San Marino 2013). The 6’1” right-hander also finished runner-up in Genova. One of five Italians in the Top 100 of the Emirates ATP Rankings, at World No. 89, he made his Grand Slam debut at the US Open – his fourth tour-level main draw of the year. A qualifier in Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires and Winston-Salem, Cecchinato won the first set against Mardy Fish in Flushing Meadows before falling in four.

To be held on indoor clay at the famed Pinheiros Sports Club from 25-29 November, the field is comprised of seven qualifiers and one wild card. Contested in round-robin format, with the top two from each group advancing to the semi-finals, 125 Emirates ATP Ranking points and $91,200 in prize money will be awarded to an undefeated champion.

Rapid Fire With Marco
Key to success in 2015: I have improved a lot mentally and also my game has grown
Best match of the year: Beating top seed Albert Ramos-Vinolas 0-6, 6-1, 6-4 in Genova semi-finals
Biggest improvements: Serve and forehand
Reaction to winning on home soil in Turin: Strong emotions. My fans give me a lot of power.
On breaking into the Top 100: It was my dream since I was a child. The biggest achievement for the hard work in all my life.
On facing Mardy Fish in his US Open debut: Hard to explain the emotions. I learned a lot.
Most influential figure: My cousin and uncle, who are two tennis coaches.
Tennis idol: Marat Safin. I loved seeing him play.
Italy’s best: Andreas Seppi. The hardest worker in Italian tennis.
Goals for 2016: No specific goals [for Emirates ATP Rankings]. I want to play 70-80 matches.