Former Paris finalist

The teenager, a runner-up in the Roland-Garros 2024 boys’ doubles alongside Rai Sakamoto, is through to the third and final qualifying round in Paris.

The 19-year-old posted a commanding 6-2, 6-4 win over Aussie Bernard Tomic to put himself one victory away from the main draw.

Cina hopes to join the contingent of Italians following in the footsteps of their talisman Jannik Sinner.

“I’ve never hit with Jannik, but I know him. He’s a very good guy. Of course, he’s the best player in the world. It’s just amazing what he is doing and achieving,” Cina told rolandgarros.com.

“It’s very motivating for all of us, Italian tennis is very lucky to have the number one in the world.

“I couldn’t be happier to get this win. It was really today tough. I started the match very focused and managed to keep that to the end, which was very important,” added the world No.216. “It’s the first time at this stage here, so I’m very happy. I have to try to stay calm.”

Competing as a wild card at last season’s Miami Open, Cina recorded his opening ATP Tour victory against Francisco Comesana to become the first player born since 2007 to win a Masters 1000 match.

Another milestone came this February in Pune, India, with a first ATP Challenger title to his name to crack the top 200.

For Cina it’s all about incremental adjustments.

Vinci connection

“I have an aggressive game, I like to go to the net, but I can be really solid, can defend too, so I try to do everything,” he explained.

“I just have to keep working more and harder in practice to make improvements. There is no other way, that is the key to get deeper in tournaments.”

Cina was given a front row insight into professional tennis as a young kid. His father Francesco was the coach of major winner Roberta Vinci. Federico would join the team for several weeks a season and would even watch the world’s very best from the player's box in places such as Indian Wells and Rome.

In a full-circle turn of events, his father is now Cina’s coach, producing a player on the brink of major moves. Canada’s Alexis Galarneau represents the next challenge for this teenage sensation on Thursday.

“With this background it was always tennis as my love from when I was really young,” continued Cina.

“Of course it’s a Grand Slam, it means a lot. I was born on clay – so I love to play on clay.

“It would be amazing to qualify for my first Grand Slam main draw. I will give it my all, my best and let’s see how far I can go.”