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Meet the 36-year-old ATP player who has now entered the top 100 for the first time

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Argentine Marco Trungelliti has achieved a remarkable tennis feat.

At 36 years old, the ATP Tour veteran has secured his place in the ATP top 100 for the first time in his career.

Trungelliti’s achievement was confirmed on Friday when he produced a stunning comeback victory against Corentin Moutet, defeating the Frenchman 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Marco Trungelliti of Argentina returns a shot in the 1st Round Qualifying match against Jie Cui of China on Day 1 of 2024 Shanghai Rolex Masters at Qi Zhong Tennis Centre on September 30, 2024 in Shanghai, China.
Photo by Zhe Ji/Getty Images

How has the 36-year-old Argentine achieved such an astonishing feat?

Marco Trungelliti’s run at the Marrakech Open

Trungelliti, who has never made it past the second round of a Grand Slam, began the week ranked 117th on the ATP Tour.

The Argentine was a clear outsider heading into the event, especially as he began the week in the qualifying draw.

After defeating Hynek Barton and Japanese youngster Rai Sakamoto in qualifying, the Argentine knocked out Portugal’s Henrique Rocha in the first round of the main draw.

RoundOpponentScore
Qualifying Round OneHynek Barton6-3, 7-5
Qualifying Round TwoRei Sakamoto7-6, 6-4
Round OneHenrique Rocha7-6, 6-2
Round TwoKamil Majchrzak7-6, 6-3
Quarter-finalsCorentin Moutet4-6, 6-3, 6-4
Marco Trungelliti’s run in Marrakech

Trungelliti then stunned fifth seed Kamil Majchrzak, defeating the Pole 7-6, 6-3.

On Friday, as discussed already, Trungelliti defied the odds to defeat Corentin Moutet.

Trungelliti will face an even bigger challenge in the semi-finals when he faces top seed and world number 19 Luciano Darderi.

Darderi is something of a clay-court specialist, as demonstrated by his four ATP Tour titles on the surface last year.

However, with Trungelliti in such scintillating form, there is every chance he could pull off yet another upset in Morocco.

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Mystery player (top left) in a circle overlay and an overview of Court One
Credit: KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images

How high could Marco Trungelliti rise in the ATP rankings?

After defeating Moutet, Trungelliti is slated to rise 32 places to world number 85 after earning 106 ATP ranking points at the Marrakech Open.

If Trungelliti were to defeat Luciano Darderi in the semi-finals, he would earn another 65 points.

If the 36-year-old were to do the unthinkable and win the tournament, he would gain a further 85 points.

If the Argentine wins the Marrakech Open, Trungelliti would end the week with 817 ATP ranking points to his name.

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If so, where should the tournament be held?

An aerial view a roofless Centre Court and the outside courts taken from the BBC elevated camera position during day four of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 28, 2007 in London, England.
Photo by Glyn Kirk/AELTC/Pool/Getty Images

This increase would likely see him rise to world number 63.