Day 2 of the Hopman Cup — held in Italy for the first time and organized by Tennium and the ITF (International tennis Federation) — delivered big surprises, including the unexpected elimination of defending champions Croatia. The winner of tomorrow’s clash between France and Italy will earn a spot in Sunday’s final. 

French legend Richard Gasquet dropped the first set to Duje Ajdukovic 5–7 but staged an impressive comeback, taking the second 6–2 and dominating the super tiebreak 10–6. This leveled the tie after Donna Vekic had earlier defeated Chloé Paquet 6–3, 6–3 on Court 1. 

The decisive mixed doubles between Croatia and France was unfortunately cancelled due to elbow injury to Croatian star Donna Vekic. France wins the tie 2-1.  

Gasquet and Paquet will now face Cobolli and Bronzetti in a high-stakes match for a place in the final of the world’s most prestigious mixed team tennis competition. 

In the day’s other tie, Marina Bassols gave Spain the lead with a 6–0, 6–4 win over Despina Papamichail. The spotlight then turned to a thrilling battle between Roberto Bautista Agut and Stefanos Tsitsipas, which went down to the wire and thrilled the Italian crowd. In the end, Bautista sealed victory for Greece, 3–6, 7–6, 10-8.  

In the mixed doubles, Greece took control with a 6–2, 6–3 win, coming back with a strong attitude regardless of their tough singles losses. They were the deserved winners of the match, closing the tie 2–1 in favor of Spain. 

Kristoff Puelinckx Awarded Golden Caravel at Fiera del Levante 

On Thursday, July 17 at the Fiera del Levante in Bari, Gaetano Frulli, President of Nuova Fiera del Levante, welcomed Kristoff Puelinckx, Belgian entrepreneur and CEO of Tennium, the international tennis platform organizing the 2025 Hopman Cup. 

During the meeting, Puelinckx was presented with the Golden Caravel, a prestigious award honoring individuals who contribute to the promotion of the Fiera. The symbol represents trade and Bari’s patron saint, St. Nicholas“This visit marks an important sign of interest in our region,” said Frulli. “It lays the foundation for future collaborations and strengthens the Fiera as a hub for top-level international cultural and sporting events.”