#NextGenATP Cina enjoys debut win in Madrid

#NextGenATP Italian Federico Cina enjoyed a dream debut at the Mutua Madrid Open on Wednesday, when he overcame Coleman Wong 7-6(5), 6-1 to reach the second round.

The 18-year-old wild card earned victory on his ATP Masters 1000 debut in Miami last month and backed that up with an impressive performance against Wong in the pair’s first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting.

"I am very happy about this win," Cina said. "Before the match I was a little bit tight but after a few games I started to feel good. It is really special to win a match at this event."

Cina saved both break points he faced, according to Infosys ATP Stats and finished with a 19-17 winners-unforced errors count to advance after 81 minutes. The Italian, up four spots to ninth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah, will next meet American Sebastian Korda.

Cina is coached by his father, Francesco Cina, a former professional tennis player himself.

A native of Palermo, Cina reached junior No. 4 in 2024 and this year is enjoying a professional breakthrough. The No. 373 player in the PIF ATP Rankings, whose idol is Novak Djokovic, reached his first Challenger final last month in Hersonissos before arriving in Miami and earning his maiden ATP Tour match win.

In other action, Argentine Mariano Navone defeated Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 6-4, 6-4. The World No. 85 has found his best level on clay in the past, reaching finals in Rio de Janeiro and Bucharest last year. He will next play Ben Shelton.

Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech advanced to the second round in Madrid for the first time, rallying from a break down in the first set to defeat Roman Safiullin 7-6(4), 6-1. Rinderknech will next meet Casper Ruud. Benjamin Bonzi eliminated former Top 10 star Marin Cilic 6-3, 6-2, while Christopher O'Connell beat Camilo Ugo Carabelli 6-3, 6-4.

There was mixed fortunes for Spanish stars on Day 1. Roberto Bautista Agut moved past countryman Jaume Munar 6-4, 2-6, 6-3, but Pablo Carreno Busta and Pedro Martinez both lost. Carreno Busta fell to Nuno Borges 6-7(7), 7-6(3), 6-3 and Francisco Comesana defeated Martinez 6-4, 6-4. 

Laslo Djere downed Fabio Fognini 6-2, 6-3 to set a second-round meeting with Daniil Medvedev and Sebastian Ofner beat Hugo Gaston 6-4, 6-3. American Ethan Quinn will take on Miami champ Jakub Mensik in the second round after beating Dusan Lajovic 6-3, 6-4.