Milan, Italy – The 65th edition of the Trofeo Bonfiglio, one of the most prestigious ITF J500 junior tournaments globally and often dubbed the “unofficial fifth Junior Grand Slam,” drew to a close on the historic clay courts of the Tennis Club Milano Alberto Bonacossa. It was an edition that will be long remembered for stellar performances and the emergence of new tennis talents, culminating with Italy’s Jacopo Vasamì and Serbia’s Luna Vujovic etching their names onto the coveted roll of honour after an intense week that saw top under-18 talents from across the globe battle it out.
A Prestigious Stage and a Hectic Start
Long considered a crucial springboard for future professional careers, the Trofeo Bonfiglio continues to capture international attention, even as many young talents are already making inroads on the ATP and WTA circuits. This year’s event kicked off with a demanding qualifying weekend, featuring a packed schedule of 112 matches condensed into just two days to decide the final 16 spots in the main draws. Among those fighting their way through was Italian Lorenzo Berto in the boys’ event, who successfully navigated three rounds, including a match where he saved five match points. In the girls’ qualifying, several Italian players, including Virginia Proietti, Viola Bedini, and Camilla Castracani, fought valiantly, narrowly missing out.
The Main Draw Ignites: Upsets and Early Frontrunners
As the main draw action commenced on Monday, 19th May, under glorious sunshine, all eyes were on a host of promising youngsters. In the boys’ draw, Finland’s Oskari Paldanius, the top seed, and American Jagger Leach, the second seed and son of WTA legend Lindsay Davenport, were among the leading contenders. Italy was well-represented with 13 boys and 8 girls hoping to make their mark.
The opening days immediately delivered high drama. In the girls’ draw, sixteen-year-old Italian Carla Giambelli, the reigning U16 European Champion, produced the tournament’s first major upset by ousting the second seed, Czech Republic’s Jana Kovackova (ITF No. 11), 2-6, 7-5, 7-6(5) after a near three-hour epic. Other surprises saw Dutch qualifier Antonia Stoyanov defeat tenth seed Luna Maria Cinalli of Argentina, while Russia’s Mariia Makarova, playing under a special exempt after reaching the J300 final in Santa Croce, eliminated fifth seed Ruien Zhang of China. Italy’s Elena Francese, on her comeback from a serious injury, also impressed with her tenacity against top seed Tereza Krejcova of the Czech Republic, eventually succumbing in a hard-fought three-setter.
In the boys’ tournament, home players Matteo Gribaldo, Raffaele Ciurnelli, Gabriele Crivellaro, and Pierluigi Basile all got off to strong starts. Rising star Jacopo Vasamì also lived up to expectations with a solid opening victory. Notably, Germany’s Jamie Mackenzie defeated Romania’s Yannick Theodor Alexandrescou, the fourth seed.
The Race to the Finals Intensifies
As the tournament progressed, sometimes under the threat of rain which forced some matches indoors, the competition heated up. The girls’ round of 16 saw another significant upset as Bulgaria’s Rositsa Dencheva dispatched top seed Tereza Krejcova in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2. Meanwhile, Austria’s Lilli Tagger, mentored by former Roland Garros champion Francesca Schiavone, continued her advance, as did American Julieta Pareja and Great Britain’s Hannah Klugman.
In the boys’ draw, Italian hopes were high. Pierluigi Basile delivered a commanding performance in the round of 16 to overcome second seed Jagger Leach 6-2, 7-6(2). Jacopo Vasamì, displaying great maturity, defeated American Maxwell Exsted in two tense tie-breaks. This set the stage for a thrilling all-Italian quarter-final between Vasamì and Basile, which Vasamì won 6-3, 6-4 in a nervy encounter, guaranteeing a home semi-finalist. The quarter-finals also saw the elimination of top seed Oskari Paldanius by American Jack Kennedy (6-2, 6-4). Bulgaria’s Ivan Ivanov and Ukraine’s Nikita Bilozertsev also progressed.
The girls’ quarter-finals were particularly hard-fought. Serbia’s Luna Vujovic eventually overcame Bulgaria’s Dencheva in a three-set marathon (6-7, 6-1, 7-5). Lithuania’s Laima Vladson edged out Spain’s Neus Torner Sensano. Great Britain’s Hannah Klugman won a gruelling 3-hour and 27-minute battle against Sarka Fajmonova of the Czech Republic, while American Julieta Pareja prevailed over Austria’s Lilli Tagger in a high-quality contest.
Semi-Finals and Doubles Finals Decided
The boys’ semi-finals saw Jacopo Vasamì overcome Ukraine’s Nikita Bilozertsev in a clash of left-handers, 5-7, 6-4, 6-3, to book his place in the final. “I didn’t serve well, I struggled on the backhand exchanges,” Vasamì admitted, “but mentally, I held strong. That made the difference.” In the other semi-final, Bulgaria’s Ivan Ivanov dominated American Jack Kennedy 6-2, 6-0.
In the girls’ semis, American Julieta Pareja fought back to beat Great Britain’s Hannah Klugman (4-6, 6-3, 6-2), while Serbia’s Luna Vujovic defeated Lithuania’s Laima Vladson (6-0, 5-7, 6-2).
The doubles finals, played on Saturday, saw the German pair of Jamie Mackenzie and Niels McDonald claim the boys’ title, defeating Americans Kyler Hance and Jack Kennedy 6-3, 6-4. In the girls’ event, Czech sisters Alena and Jana Kovackova were triumphant, beating fellow Czech Julie Pastikova and Germany’s Julia Stusek 4-6, 6-4, [10-3] in the final.
The Grand Finale: Vasamì and Vujovic Crowned Champions
The final day, Sunday 25th May, delivered a spectacular showcase of junior tennis, broadcast live on SuperTennis TV and watched by a large, enthusiastic crowd, with free entry throughout the week.
In the girls’ singles final, fifteen-year-old Serbian Luna Vujovic made history for her country, becoming the first Serbian girl to win the Bonfiglio. She defeated American Julieta Pareja, ranked WTA No. 317, with an assertive 6-3, 6-3 victory, showcasing aggressive tennis and a lethal forehand. “This is the best result of my career,” said Vujovic. “I stayed focused all day, trying to keep to myself before the match. That helped me keep calm and play my best when it mattered.”
Following this, the highly anticipated boys’ final saw Jacopo Vasamì complete his remarkable feat. Facing the solid Bulgarian Ivan Ivanov, and roared on by over 2,000 home fans, Vasamì lost a tight first set in a tie-break. However, the seventeen-year-old Roman responded magnificently, raising the level of his game to dominate the next two sets and seal a historic 6-7(8), 6-2, 6-1 victory after 2 hours and 14 minutes. This triumph ended a 13-year wait for an Italian boys’ singles champion at the Bonfiglio, since Gianluigi Quinzi’s win in 2012. “It means so much to win this tournament,” said an emotional Vasamì. “I felt a lot of responsibility, but I’m proud of how I handled it. I think I won this match with heart and resilience more than anything else.”
The tournament’s success was further highlighted by the United States winning the “Coppa Bonacossa,” the nations’ trophy. The 65th Trofeo Bonfiglio once again cemented its status as a crucial event in the junior tennis calendar, a true hotbed of talent from which, undoubtedly, future champions will continue to emerge.
Follow Us