Arthur Rinderknech got three match points against the Italian Francesco Passaro, before losing 6-7 (3/7), 7-5, 7-6 (9/7) at the end of a marathon more than three hours contested over two days, this Thursday in Rome. The Frenchman, 73rd in the world, seemed well on his way to reaching the 2nd round of the Roman Masters 1000, since he led 7-6 (7/3), 5-2 in this match which began the day before.
But it was disrupted by the change in weather conditions, then the rain which forced the organizers to suspend the match on Wednesday evening when Passaro took the lead in the 2nd set 6-5. As soon as the match resumed on Thursday, under the sun this time, Passaro, 240th in the world and recipient of an invitation, won the second round.
Under the encouragement of the public fully committed to his cause, he broke away in the final tie break to lead 5-1, before winning after a final scare which saw his French opponent offer himself a 3rd match point at 7/6.
