Waiting to find out who will be the new champion of theATP 250 of Buenos Airesthe south american tour it is already projected onto Rio Openstarting on Monday 16 February.
The organizers of the Brazilian ATP 500 tournament have released the main draw, where three Italians are present: Luciano Darderi, Lorenzo Sonego and Matteo Berrettini.
Upper part: Cerundolo leads the seeding, it’s an immediate Berrettini-Sonego derby
It is certainly not a lucky draw in terms of Italy. In the first round, in fact, it will immediately be a derby between Matteo Berrettini and Lorenzo Sonego – 3-1 precedents for the former 6 ATP.
The Roman tennis player, number 58 in the world, started his 2026 on the red clay of Buenos Aires, surrendering in the round of 16 against Vit Kopriva, after beating Federico Coria on his debut.
Sonego, however, will pick up where he left off: challenging a compatriot. The last match he played was the second round of the Australian Open, when he gave way to Lorenzo Musetti, a defeat that cost him a clear retreat in the rankings, up to position number 60. Now he will leave from South America, with some unknowns after the cancellation for Buenos Aires.
The blues are on a collision course with Daniel Altmaierseventh seed, who will face a first-round qualifier and is still looking for their first win of the season.
On paper, the quarter-final in question would be that of Joao Fonsecathird favorite in the draw, who, like the German, is still without success in 2026. He will face a qualified player in the debut match in his city to make up for a difficult start.
The top part of the scoreboard is present Francisco Cerundolofirst seed, who, among other things, is still in the running for the title in Buenos Aires. After the home tournament, his compatriot is waiting for him in Rio Mariano Navone. The expected fourth is with the number 6 seed Alexandre Mullercalled to defend the 2025 final.
Lower part: debut for Darderi with Cerundolo Jr
Shifting attention to the second portion of the board, Luciano Darderi he is the second favorite of the tournament. While waiting to know how Buenos Aires will go for him too, the Italian, undefeated on his beloved red clay since the first round of Roland Garros, already knows the name of his opponent in Rio: Juan Manuel Cerundolo, against whom he won his only previous match at the ATP level.
Then, his path could continue against one of them Yannick Hanfmann and the home wild card João Lucas Reis Da Silvabefore the hypothetical quarter-final with Camilo Hugo Carabelliseeded number 5.
On the same side as Darderi, they are lurking Tomas Martin Etcheverrywhich he will face Francisco Comesañaand the defending champion Sebastian Baezwhich he will challenge Carlos Taberner and then eventually find themselves put to the test Damir Dzumhur o Pedro Martinez.
The complete Rio Open draw
date: 2026-02-14 19:36:00
Related reading