1997 HIGHLIGHTS
Prize money: $68,287
Matches won-lost: Tour: 1-1 (singles), 0-1 (doubles) Challenger: 27-16 (singles), 19-18 (doubles)
Doubles Winner: Tashkent(w/SPADEA).
1997 IN REVIEW
Had a strong second half of season playing in Challenger tournaments, climbing from No. 222 on June 23 to a career-high No. 116 on Oct. 20...Momentum began to build starting with Barletta Challenger in early April where he reached the first of five QF in six consecutive Challengers...He then reached the SF in Ostend, reached the final in Merano (l. to Arnold) and won the title in Pilzen (d. Tabara)...In Tashkent, won his first career Tour singles match (d. Merinov)...He finished the season with another SF in Skopje Challenger and a QF in Cairo Challenger...In doubles, reached Cherbourg Challenger final (w/Pescosolido) in February...But highlight came in Tashkent where he won his first career Tour doubles title (w/Spadea)...Earned a career-high $68,287.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
1992 - Finished fifth in singles at Italy #2 Satellite (17 points) and sixth in doubles (15)...1993 - Captured first Challenger title in Parioli (d. Valeri) and QF in Newcastle...Advanced to doubles SF at Rome Challenger (w/Pescosolido)...1994 - Finished third at Italy #3 Satellite (31 points) and fourth at Italy #2 circuit (23 points)...Finished doubles runner-up at Italy #3 Satellite (w/Albani, 34 points)...Finished seventh in doubles at Italy #2 Satellite (21 points)...1995 - Finished in Top 200 for first time and won Italy #1 Satellite (51 points) and reached final at Sao Paulo (l. to Fleurian) and Seoul (l. to Henman) Challengers....In doubles, finished fifth at Italy #1 Satellite (21 points) and seventh at France #1 circuit (22 points)...1996 - Won second Challenger title in Binghamton (d. Sargsian)...Also SF at Ahmedabad Challenger and QF at Zagreb Challenger...Captured doubles title at Venice Challenger (w/Mordegan).
CAREER DOUBLES TITLES (1).
PERSONAL
Began playing at age 9...The Italian 18s and 16s doubles champion...Father, Antonio, owns a restaurant in Rome...Favorite shot is forehand and clay is favorite surface...Coached by Paolo Spezzi and Stefano Meneschincheri, brother of Tour pro Marco.
