This was a match without surprises, but with a clear message: Lorenzo Giustino is at home on clay — including in Kitzbühel. The Italian defeated local favourite Nico Hipfl at the 2026 Generali Open 6:2, 6:4, delivering a focused performance that left the host nation's representative without hope at any stage.
Giustino dominant from the opening service game
The balance of power was evident from the very first set. Hipfl, who had entered the tournament on a wildcard, could find few answers for the experienced Giustino on the clay courts of the Kitzbüheler Tennisclub. The Italian claimed the opening set 6:2 without a hint of tiebreak drama. Giustino's serving was a central factor: he held serve throughout and won 75 percent of his service points. His first-serve percentage brought him a commanding 87 percent of points — figures that are extremely difficult to compete with at this level.
Hipfl attempted to mount a response, but the numbers told a different story: the Austrian failed to convert a single break point, while Giustino converted 60 percent of his own break points. On return, Hipfl finished with a winning percentage of zero against Giustino's service games.
Second set: Hipfl fights back, Giustino stays in control
In the second set, Hipfl showed at least some signs of greater resistance. The 4:6 scoreline from his perspective represented a modest improvement on the first set, but it was never enough to turn the tide. Giustino remained in control throughout, and his break advantage held to the finish. Winning 58 percent of total points played, the Neapolitan maintained the upper hand from start to finish.
Nico Hipfl — nephew of former Austrian professional Markus Hipfl and a member of the host Kitzbüheler Tennisclub — will have cherished the opportunity to compete in an ATP 250 event on a wildcard, but the gap in class between him and the seasoned challenger-level professional Giustino proved too wide on the day.
Verdict: Experience beats home advantage
Lorenzo Giustino brings exactly the right tools for assignments like this. The Naples-born clay-court specialist, born in 1991, has built an above-average career record on the surface and most recently claimed his second Challenger title at the 2025 Monastir Open. His career-high ATP ranking of 127, reached in 2019, is testament to his ability to hold his own on tour.
For Hipfl, the journey ends in qualifying at the 82nd Generali Open Kitzbühel — for Giustino, it continues. The Italian has made a commanding case for himself ahead of the next qualifying round with this impressive display.
