Rome, May 5, 2026, 20:02 CEST
Pablo Llamas Ruiz made it into the Internazionali BNL d’Italia main draw on Tuesday. In contrast, Spain’s Martin Landaluce fell short, dropping the match that could have secured him a spot in the ATP Rome lineup.
Llamas, in the draw as an alternate, rallied after dropping the first set to defeat Portugal’s Jaime Faria 3-6, 6-2, 6-3. Eighth seed Landaluce couldn’t get past Italy’s Andrea Pellegrino, falling 6-3, 2-6, 6-2.
Why does this matter? Rome isn’t some minor pit stop — it’s an ATP Masters 1000, the top tier outside the Grand Slams. This year’s clay-court showdown unfolds at Foro Italico from May 6-17, featuring names like Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic, according to the ATP.
Llamas squeezes through—his late qualifying bid now secures him a spot in the main draw. Landaluce? A quick start in Rome fizzles out, and the opportunity slips away, for now.
The latest result shifts the scenario from Monday, when both contenders were a single win away from the draw. Puntodebreak noted Landaluce dispatched Australia’s Cristopher O’Connell 6-2, 6-3 in just over an hour and a half, while Llamas, coming in as an alternate, overturned Portugal’s Henrique Rocha 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.
Llamas landed a first-round match with American Ethan Quinn after the ATP draw. Pellegrino, who stopped Landaluce in qualifying, got Italian wildcard Luca Nardi.
Spain managed to push a few players into the main draw. Daniel Mérida edged Tomas Barrios Vera 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(4). Pablo Carreño Busta also moved ahead, getting through after Stan Wawrinka pulled out before their clash, AS said.
It’s the classic uncertainty with tennis draws that shift late. Landaluce, unless he sneaks in as a lucky loser—a qualifier who gets bumped up if someone else pulls out—has seen his Rome singles hopes end for now.
Llamas takes on the more straightforward task this time: getting ready for Quinn, and facing a main draw match instead of another rough qualifying round. Still, the adjustment comes fast. Qualifiers make it in, but space is tight for them.
