Zverev and Swiatek move into Italian Open third round
ROME: Alexander Zverev eased into the third round of the Italian Open on Friday after comfortably dealing with fellow German Daniel Altmaier in straight sets, 7-5, 6-3. A two-time former winner, Zverev took one hour and 45 minutes to see off Altmaier, who has never won a title on the men’s tour and didn’t have enough for the second seed. Zverev is in good form having reached the final in Madrid last weekend and he is again on the other side of the draw to red-hot favorite Jannik Sinner. The 29-year-old has been beaten by Sinner in four Masters 100 events this year and will have his work cut out if he is to add to his 2017 and 2024 titles in Rome. Novak Djokovic is set for his first appearance on clay this season when he plays 20-year-old Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic. The 38-year-old Djokovic has not played since losing in the last 16 at Indian Wells in March. He pulled out of tournaments in Miami, Monte Carlo and Madrid while recovering from a shoulder injury. Three-time champion Iga Swiatek battled into the third round of the women’s tournament with a 6-1, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3 win over Caty McNally. Swiatek dropped serve in the opening game at the Foro Italico but rattled off the next six to seize control against the 63rd-ranked American.
