Italian Tennis Stumbles at Miami Masters: Berrettini Shines, Bellucci and Two Others Crash Out

The Miami Open 2026 has delivered a mixed bag for Italian tennis, with Matteo Berrettini and Jasmine Paolini advancing to the third round while three compatriots exited in disappointing fashion. The tournament, which runs through March 29 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, is proving to be a crucial battleground for Italian players seeking to cement their positions in the ATP and WTA rankings.

Why This Matters

• Berrettini's resurgence: His straight-set win against a top-seeded opponent signals a return to form after injury struggles.

• Mixed results for Italian men: Three of four Italian male competitors were eliminated in early rounds, raising questions about depth beyond top players.

• Paolini holds firm: Italy's highest-ranked woman continues her strong 2026 campaign with a hard-fought victory.

Berrettini Powers Through With Dominant Serving

Matteo Berrettini delivered the most convincing Italian performance of the early rounds, dismantling Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik (seeded 10th) with a clinical 6-4, 6-4 victory. The Roman's serve proved untouchable, as he fired 17 aces en route to the third round without facing a single break point in critical moments.

Berrettini's ability to neutralize Bublik's unpredictable game style—characterized by underarm serves and erratic shot selection—demonstrated tactical maturity. The former Wimbledon finalist is building momentum after a season interrupted by physical setbacks, and his performance in Miami suggests he's ready to challenge the tour's elite once again.

The victory sets up a potential clash with higher-seeded opponents as the tournament progresses. For Italian tennis fans, Berrettini's form is particularly encouraging given the country's recent struggles to produce consistent top-20 performers on hard courts.

Early Exits Mar Italian Campaign

The tournament began with immediate disappointment for Matteo Bellucci, who was dispatched in the opening round by American Alex Michelsen in a lopsided 6-2, 6-1 defeat on March 20. The 25-year-old from Busto Arsizio never found his rhythm against Michelsen's aggressive baseline game, winning just three games across two sets.

Flavio Cobolli and Matteo Arnaldi fared no better in their second-round encounters. Cobolli fell to Belgium's Raphael Collignon 7-5, 6-3, unable to capitalize on break opportunities in the opening set. The loss stings particularly for Cobolli, who had shown promise earlier this season but continues to struggle with consistency against lower-ranked opponents.

Arnaldi's exit was perhaps the most frustrating. The Ligurian battled Kazakhstan's Alexander Shevchenko through a grueling three-setter, saving multiple match points in the second set before succumbing 6-7(4), 7-6(3), 6-2. After splitting two tiebreaks, Arnaldi's legs appeared to give out in the decisive third set, where Shevchenko dominated 6-2.

The trio of early exits underscores a persistent challenge for Italian tennis: while the country boasts several players capable of reaching ATP 250 semifinals, the transition to Masters 1000 success remains elusive for all but a select few.

Paolini Navigates Tricky Opener

On the women's side, Jasmine Paolini—currently ranked 7th in the world—justified her seeding with a hard-fought 6-3, 1-6, 6-2 victory over American Taylor Townsend (ranked 80th). The 30-year-old from Bagni di Lucca entered the tournament at the second-round stage as a top-eight seed.

After cruising through the first set, Paolini inexplicably lost focus in the second, dropping six consecutive games as Townsend's slice-heavy game found its range. But the Italian regrouped in the decider, breaking twice to seal her place in the third round.

Paolini's ability to reset mentally after a disastrous middle set will serve her well in a tournament known for its unpredictable conditions and lengthy matches. Her 2026 season has been marked by steady performances, and a deep run in Miami could position her for a potential top-five ranking by summer.

What This Means for Italian Tennis

The contrasting fortunes at the Miami Open reflect broader trends in Italian tennis. On the women's side, Paolini has established herself as a reliable top-10 presence, though she lacks the support of a strong Italian contingent. Elisabetta Cocciaretto, who also competed in Miami, fell to Coco Gauff in a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 battle that lasted over two hours.

For Italian men, the picture is more complicated. Berrettini's resurgence is encouraging, but the early exits of Bellucci, Cobolli, and Arnaldi highlight the gap between Italy's mid-tier players and the consistency required to thrive at Masters 1000 level. All three struggled with different aspects: Bellucci was overpowered, Cobolli lacked composure, and Arnaldi ran out of steam.

Italian tennis officials will be watching closely as the tournament unfolds. With ranking points and prize money on the line—Masters 1000 events award up to 1,000 ATP points to the champion—every match carries significant weight for players hovering outside the top 30.

Alcaraz Rolls On as Tournament Heats Up

While Italian players battled mixed results, the tournament's marquee names advanced with relative ease. Carlos Alcaraz, the world's number 1 and reigning Australian Open 2026 champion, dispatched Brazilian sensation Joao Fonseca 6-4, 6-4 to reach the third round. The Spaniard's efficient victory sets up potentially blockbuster encounters in the later rounds.

The Miami Open continues through March 29, with Berrettini and Paolini carrying Italian hopes forward. The tournament's hard-court conditions and intense competition make it a critical proving ground ahead of the clay-court season, where Italian players traditionally fare better.

For now, Italian fans can celebrate Berrettini's commanding performance and Paolini's resilience while contemplating what might have been for Bellucci, Cobolli, and Arnaldi. As the tournament moves into its decisive phase, all eyes will be on whether Italy's remaining representatives can translate early promise into genuine breakthrough victories.