Royer, Defeated by Barrios Vera, Misses Out on Main Draw of Rome Masters 1000
The only French player with a chance to advance through the two qualifying rounds of the Rome Masters 1000, Valentin Royer (ATP No. 117) faced off against Chile’s Tomas Barrios Vera (ATP No. 118) for a spot in the main draw in the Italian capital.
After his victory against Federico Agustin Gomez (6-4, 4-6, 7-5), the 23-year-old Frenchman aimed to confirm his form against the Chilean, who had reached the final of the Mauthausen Challenger last Sunday against Cristian Garin.
In the first set, Royer got off to the better start, securing an early break. However, the advantage was short-lived as Barrios Vera quickly leveled the score. Ultimately, after breaking at 5-5, the Chilean, more composed in crucial moments, took the lead.
But Royer returned the favor, delivering an excellent return game at 6-5 in the second set to level the match at one set apiece.
Royer even thought he had done the hardest part when he served for the match in the third set. Yet, much like the start of the match, he failed to consolidate his break, allowing his opponent back into contention.
In the end, Barrios Vera won four consecutive games to clinch the victory (7-5, 5-7, 7-5 in nearly three hours of play) and secure his place in the main draw of the Rome Masters 1000.
Following the early exits of Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Adrian Mannarino in the first round of qualifying the day before, Valentin Royer also fell short in his bid to reach the main draw.
As a result, eight French players will feature in the men’s main draw in Rome: Humbert, Fils, Mpetshi Perricard, Moutet, Halys, Muller, Rinderknech, and Gaston. Notably, Monfils and Bonzi withdrew from the tournament.
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