Italy’s Players Exit Early at WTA 125 Lisboa Belem Open
The Lisboa Belem Open, a WTA 125 tournament held on the red‑clay courts of Clube Internacional de Foot‑ball in Lisbon, got underway on 12 October 2024 with a disappointing start for Italian tennis. All three Italian entrants—Martina Colmegna, Aurora Zantedeschi and Giorgia Pedone—lost their opening matches in straight sets, leaving the Azzurri without a win on the first day of competition.
Tournament Overview
The Lisboa Belem Open is part of the WTA 125 series, offering a purse of €100 000 and serving as an important stepping stone for players aiming to break into the top 100 or gain valuable match practice on European clay. The event took place from 12 to 18 October at the historic Lisbon venue, attracting a mix of rising talents and established professionals.
Italian Players’ First‑Round Matches
Martina Colmegna (world No. 325) faced top‑seeded Francesca Jones (No. 104). After earning an early break, Colmegna could not sustain her advantage; Jones levelled the contest at 2‑2 and eventually claimed the match 7‑5, 6‑1.
Aurora Zantedeschi (No. 292) encountered Fiona Ferro (No. 105, third seed). Zantedeschi twice broke Ferro’s serve early but failed to hold her leads, losing the opener 3‑6. She fought back to 3‑3 in the second set before conceding a crucial break, ultimately falling 6‑3, 6‑4.
Giorgia Pedone (No. 280) played Greece’s Martha Matoula (No. 273). Pedone struggled on serve in the first set, dropping serve four times out of five games and losing 3‑6. Although she showed improvement in the second set, leading 4‑2, Matoula rallied with four straight games to seal a 6‑3, 6‑4 victory.
Looking Ahead
The opening‑round results highlight the challenges Italian players face when stepping up against higher‑ranked opposition on clay. While the defeats are disappointing, they provide useful data for coaches and athletes as they prepare for the remainder of the European clay season and upcoming WTA events. Fans will be watching closely to see how Colmegna, Zantedeschi and Pedone respond in their next tournaments, hoping for a turnaround in form and confidence.
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