Former finalist Schwartzman, Medjedovic qualify in Rome

Diego Schwartzman will compete in the main draw at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia one last time.

Two days after announcing his intention to retire next year at a tournament in Argentina, the 31-year-old Schwartzman beat Mikhail Kukushkin 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 in the final round of qualifying at the clay-court ATP Masters 1000 in Rome.

The former No. 8 in the PIF ATP Rankings Schwartzman, who has been renowned for his battling qualities throughout his career, completed victory after two hours and 50 minutes at the Foro Italico. Schwartzman holds a 10-8 career record in Rome, where he reached the semi-finals in 2019 and his only Masters 1000 championship match in 2020.

Hamad Medjedovic enjoyed a far more straightforward victory to seal his spot in the main draw. The 2023 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF champion dispatched J.J. Wolf 6-1, 6-4 after converting three of six break points he earned, according to Infosys ATP Stats. It was a second straight successful Masters 1000 qualification campaign for the 20-year-old Serbian, who reached the second round in Madrid after winning his way into the draw.

Botic van de Zandschulp, Thiago Monteiro, Zizou Bergs and Maximilian Marterer also sealed straight-sets victories on Tuesday to qualify. The former World No. 22 Van de Zandschulp beat Facundo Bagnis 6-3, 6-1, while Monteiro downed Corentin Moutet 6-3, 6-4. The Brazilian lefty highlighted just how dangerous an opponent he can be, particularly on clay, by upsetting Stefanos Tsitsipas in Madrid 10 days ago.

Belgium’s Bergs overcame #NextGenATP star Shang Juncheng 6-4, 7-6(5). The 24-year-old will make just his third Masters 1000 main-draw appearance. Germany’s Marterer beat former Rome semi-finalist Richard Gasquet 6-3, 6-4.

The only Italian competing in the final round of qualifying, Francesco Passaro did not disappoint his home fans with a tense victory against Duje Ajdukovic. The World No. 240 Passaro prevailed 7-6(5), 6-7(8), 7-6(3) in a two-hour, 57-minute marathon.

A trio of French players also advanced to the main draw in Italy. Alexandre Muller beat Radu Albot 7-5, 6-2, Gregoire Barrere overcame Felipe Meligeni Alves 6-3, 7-6(7), and Terence Atmane saw off countryman Harold Mayot 6-3, 2-6, 6-2.