Passaro, Zhang Qualify For Naples Main Draw

The top three seeds in the Tennis Napoli Cup qualifying draw all secured their main-draw spots on Monday, with Nicolas Jarry, Zhang Zhizhen and Francesco Passaro all advancing in Italy.

Third seed Passaro overcame a bagel opening set to defeat fifth seed Filip Misolic 0-6, 6-3, 6-2. The #NextGenATP Italian is in ninth place in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Milan and could move into eighth with an opening-round win against Mackenzie McDonald, depending on other results.

China's Zhang also battled through three sets in a 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 win against seventh-seeded Italian Giulio Zeppieri. Seeking to become the first Chinese man to break the Top 100 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, Zhang would accomplish that historic feat with two main-draw wins in Naples. He opens against Marton Fucsovics, who sits at No. 100 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings as of Monday evening.

[ATP APP]

Jarry, the top seed in qualifying, earned a 6-2, 6-4 victory against Italy's Raul Brancaccio. The Chilean will meet Roberto Carballes Baena in the opening round.

Also advancing through qualifying on Monday was Borna Gojo, a 6-3, 6-4 winner against Italian wild card Stefano Napolitano.

Main-draw play begins Tuesday at the Naples ATP 250 event, with fifth seed Miomir Kecmanovic, seventh seed Albert Ramos-Vinolas and eighth seed Adrian Mannarino all set to feature on centre court.