Tiafoe falls to world No. 155 who doubles career | Sports News

Italian qualifier Andrea Pellegrino has pulled off one of probably the most gorgeous upsets of the Italian Open to date, eliminating twentieth seed Frances Tiafoe 7-6(8), 6-1 to advance to the fourth spherical. The world No. 155 got here via qualifying to make his main-draw debut on the Masters 1000 stage, and has now stormed into the final 16.

Pellegrino has more than doubled his prize money earnings for 2026 in a single fell swoop. Heading into the match, he had amassed $98,632. He is now assured a €92,470 (round $108,000) payout for reaching the fourth spherical in Rome after beating Tiafoe.

The 29-year-old tennis participant can be anticipated to climb back into the world’s prime 130, edging nearer to his career-high rating of No. 125. Pellegrino defeated fellow Italian Luca Nardi on his Masters 1000 primary draw debut, earlier than dealing with fifteenth seed and reigning Barcelona Open champion Arthur Fils within the second spherical. (*155*) got here as Serena Williams rushed Kevin Hart off the Netflix roast podium after her sister Venus delivered a reward.

However, Fils was compelled to retire whereas trailing Pellegrino 0-4 within the opening set, later revealing he felt one thing in his hip and was unwilling to risk additional harm with the French Open on the horizon. That allowed the world No. 155 to advance to the third spherical — and he has seized the chance with each fingers.

Pellegrino got here out firing, breaking Tiafoe twice to surge into a 4-0 lead, however the American mounted a fierce comeback. The qualifier was unable to convert two set factors when Tiafoe served at 3-5, forcing a tiebreak. Set factors had been exchanged between each rivals, however finally the home favourite clinched the tiebreak 10-8.

He rode that wave of momentum straight into the second set, dropping only one further recreation whereas securing two more breaks to advance into the spherical of 16.

The 29-year-old collapsed to the ground in disbelief earlier than Tiafoe made his means over to embrace Pellegrino and acknowledge his victory. This ranks because the second-biggest win of Pellegrino’s career – he defeated then-No. 19 Felix Auger-Aliassime at a Challenger final summer season – however is undoubtedly among the many most emotional.

“It’s amazing. I didn’t expect, when I came here, at the beginning of the tournament, I didn’t expect to reach these kinds of rounds, but I’m very happy about my game. I played five matches and really good level, so I’m so happy,” Pellegrino stated instantly after reaching the fourth spherical on his Masters debut.

“I mean, I come from a tough period, I got injured on my back last month, I didn’t play a few tournaments. I missed Monte Carlo, these tournaments, and to be here in Rome, it’s really special for me and reach fourth round in main draw, it’s something special.

“I began very effectively. At the start, I used to be taking part in excellent. He wasn’t, I feel, however then I began to take into consideration… I used to be up and I grew to become a bit tight, and his stage goes up, and the match was not simple as a result of of the wind, additionally. The circumstances weren’t simple, however I used to be there each level, combating each level, and I’m very glad about that.”

Pellegrino could now find himself competing in the most significant match of his career, as he awaits the outcome of a showdown between world No. 1 Jannik Sinner and Alexei Popyrin. Should compatriot Sinner advance, it would not be their first encounter on court. The four-time Major champion defeated Pellegrino 6-1 6-1 in a Futures final back in 2019.

“Yeah, yeah, of course I keep in mind that. I feel I gained two or three video games within the ultimate!” the qualifier grinned. “He has to play, I feel, no? So if I’m going to play with him, it is going to be, of course, a actually good match, good expertise for me. Maybe we play on Centre, the place I by no means performed, however I’m very glad.”