#NextGenATP Spaniard tops home favourite Bellucci for last 16 spot

Martin Landaluce is taking full advantage of his second chance this week at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.

The 20-year-old Spaniard defeated home favourite Mattia Bellucci 6-4, 6-3 on Monday to reach the fourth round of the ATP Masters 1000 event in Rome. After falling in the second round of qualifying, Landaluce gained entry to the main draw as a lucky loser and has since earned his first two tour-level victories on clay against Marin Cilic and Bellucci.

With his one-hour, 47-minute win against Bellucci, Landaluce became just the sixth lucky loser to reach the last 16 in the Italian capital. The Spaniard has also climbed to No. 80 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings and will next face Hamad Medjedovic for a spot in the quarter-finals.

Landaluce produced a composed and clinical all-court display in his first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting with Bellucci. The #NextGenATP star won 86 per cent (24/28) of his first-serve points and saved both break points he faced, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

The Spaniard has carried strong momentum through the early part of the season. Two months ago, he enjoyed a breakthrough run at the Masters 1000 in Miami, where he reached the quarter-finals as a qualifier before losing to Jiri Lehecka. With that run, Landaluce edged closer to the Top 100 and he eventually cracked the milestone in April.

By being ranked inside the Top 500 while aged 20 and under, Landaluce has also qualified for the 2026 PIF ATP Next Gen Accelerator, which provides additional playing opportunities to some of the sport’s top emerging talents from junior, college and traditional pathways.

Landaluce is aiming to return to the Next Gen ATP Finals and currently sits third in the Next Gen Race. His countryman and fellow Madrid native, Rafael Jodar, is first in the Race and is also into the fourth round in Rome.