This is the second of four tournaments in Italy, culminating in a Grade A event. This week sees Ahmed El Menshawy and Dave Thomson looking to progress towards direct acceptance for Wimbledon. The two players who accounted for them last week (Picco and Shyla) are seeded in Ahmed's quarter
The cut-off last year was 56, which was fairly typical. Alastair Barnes is currently 69, Ahmed 80 and Dave 90, so they have quite a bit to do in the next 2 weeks before the entry deadline for there to be any British Boys in the draw without WCs (or Special Exempts if someone does well at Roehampton).
The quarter-finals went according to the established patterns: Ahmed making no impression again on Picco and Griekspoor suffering his fifth loss out of 6 to Brits during the last year.
QF
(7) Francesco Picco (ITA) d. (3) Ahmed El Menshawy (GBR) 6-1 6-3 (5) David Thomson (GBR) d. Scott Griekspoor (NED) 6-3 6-0
SF
(5) David Thomson (GBR) v Romain Arneodo (FRA)
Dave appears to be in good form here, but has his work cut out to make a first Grade 2 final, as Arneodo won last week's Grade 2 in Italy
