MONTPELLIER, France — Italian rising star Luca Nardi delivered a statement performance on Friday, February 06, 2026, defeating world No. 20 Flavio Cobolli in straight sets to advance at the Open Sud de France. The 22-year-old showcased the “poise and power” that first made him a household name, dominating his countryman 6-2, 6-3.
Nardi, currently ranked No. 106 in the ATP live rankings, blasted 17 winners during the second-round encounter. The victory marks a significant resurgence for the Pesaro native, who reached a career-high ranking of No. 67 in March 2025 but has spent recent months battling to regain his top-100 status.
Match Analysis: Dominance in Montpellier
The all-Italian clash was expected to be a tight affair, given Cobolli’s status as a top-20 seed. However, Nardi broke serve early in both sets, utilizing his aggressive right-handed baseline game to keep Cobolli on the defensive. This victory follows Nardi’s previous round win over Nikoloz Basilashvili, signaling a return to the hard-court form that saw him famously upset Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells in 2024.
Nardi is now scheduled to face Martin Damm in the next round. Damm, a left-handed American ranked No. 160, enters the matchup with an 8–3 record in 2026, setting the stage for a high-stakes battle for a semifinal berth.
Luca Nardi: Career Profile and Stats
Born on August 6, 2003, Nardi has long been touted as one of the leaders of the new wave of Italian tennis. Standing 6’1″ and weighing 176 lbs, he is coached by Claudio Galoppini and Gabriele Costantini.
- Full Name: Luca Nardi
- Birthplace: Pesaro, Italy
- Age: 22
- Plays: Right-handed (Two-handed backhand)
- Career-High Ranking: No. 67 (Achieved March 3, 2025)
- Key Achievement: Youngest player (at rank 123) to defeat Novak Djokovic at a Masters 1000 event.
What’s Next for the Italian?
With his performance in Montpellier, Nardi is projected to climb back toward the top 90 in the ATP rankings. Analysts suggest that while Nardi has shown flashes of brilliance on clay, his “raw power” is most effective on indoor hard courts, as evidenced by his clinical execution this week. Following the conclusion of the Montpellier tournament, Nardi is expected to focus on the upcoming North American hard-court swing, where he will look to defend points from his historic 2024 run.
Stay tuned to USA Daily for live scores and breaking updates on Luca Nardi’s progress through the 2026 ATP Tour season.