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ROME: Novak Djokovic was tested by 61st-ranked Tomas Martin Etcheverry in a 7-6 (5), 6-2 opening win at the Italian Open on Friday. Aiming for a seventh title on the red clay of the Foro Italico as he prepares for the French Open, Djokovic twice had to recover from deficits during a tight first set. Djokovic was returning after three weeks off due to a lingering issue with his surgically repaired right elbow.
Iga Swiatek began her bid for a third straight Italian Open title in devastating style on Friday as the top seed crushed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-0, 6-0 in the second round, while Ons Jabeur was defeated on her return from injury.
Cameron Norrie eased into the third round of the Italian Open while defending women's champion Iga Swiatek was in ruthless form.
Iga Swiatek’s bid for a third consecutive Italian Open crown got off to the perfect start as the top seed earned a crushing double-bagel victory over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. Swiatek was in an uncompromising mood under the Roman sunshine as she stormed to a 6-0 6-0 win in 67 minutes to set up a clash with Lesia Tsurenko or 28th seed Bernarda Pera. Ad The world No.
Coco Gauff had doubts about an ailing Rafa Nadal's chances at last year's French Open, only to see him romp to a 14th title at the Paris Grand Slam, and the women's world number five said she will never underestimate him again at Roland Garros.
Italian Open second seed Aryna Sabalenka was eliminated by 134th-ranked Sofia Kenin in her opening match in Rome. Kenin beat the Madrid Open champion 7-6 6-2 less than a week after Sabalenka overcame Iga Swiatek in the Spanish capital. Ad Sabalenka was the second top-six-seeded player to fall at the first hurdle on Thursday after Jessica Pegula lost to 168th-ranked Taylor Townsend.
Madrid Open organisers apologised Thursday after not allowing the women's doubles finalists to make speeches after the match at the tournament last week, amid allegations of sexism. The mens' doubles finalists were allowed to speak to the crowd after their matches. Victoria Azarenka and Beatriz Haddad Maia beat Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff in the women's final on Sunday but were not given a microphone to let them address the crowd.
Aryna Sabalenka says the focus remains on titles not rankings despite getting nearer to world No. 1 Iga Swiatek. The Belarusian has enjoyed a stellar start to 2023 after winning her first Grand Slam at the Australian Open and currently holds four more victories than any other player on the WTA Tour.