Internazionali BNL d'Italia, Rome, Italy - WTA 1000

[MargaretMcAleer]

Not sure if making these tournaments (Madrid) 10 days long a great idea after all, Sabalenka and Garcia matches are pretty empty, just like for the later matches yesterday, or maybe the WTA is not promoting in Rome enough, sad, this is a great tournament for fans, great courts with views, good access to get up close and personal with your favorite players and good food at reasonable prices.

 

[kskate2]

Kenin is absorbing Saba's pace and playing like she's in the Aus final again. Saba looking like a meltdown isn't far off.

 

[tented]

Kenin is absorbing Saba's pace and playing like she's in the Aus final again. Saba looking like a meltdown isn't far off.

Kenin is playing very well, up 5-2 in the second. One game away from the match.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Another player Petra Martic who made the SF in Madrid defeated in SS by Camila Osorio 64 62
Sabalenka struggling all match looks like she will be losing early as well

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

No 2 player Sabalenka loses in SS by Kenin, I wonder if she is still being coached by Michael Joyce? 76(4) 62
If feel Sabalenka's game is more suited to faster clay courts like Madrid. Good win from Kenin
That is Kenin's first top 10 win since she defeated Barty at the AO in 2020.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Both Top seeds in the bottom half are OUT after their first match, hmm with Roland Garros coming........................

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Caroline Garcia (5) comes back from a break down in the 3rd set, to advance in Rome, 64 36 75 over Bogdan.
Needed that.
She is now the highest ranked player in the bottom half of the draw.

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

Bottom half of the draw has really opened up for Coco.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Sabalenka's loss in Rome is a blow to her No 1 chances, specially if Swiatek performs as expected at the Foro Italico, still looks doable till the end of the US Open, but...........

 

[tented]

 

[the AntiPusher]

Taylor Townsend beat Pegula 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. It was a long match, and Townsend did well.

Taylor's hands are extraordinary..

 

[the AntiPusher]

I have been to Rome during this time of year. Its looks chilly outside there. It was .back in 08 ..Lord knows I wished I could have worked into my schedule to see Rafa play on clay but I was trying to be Casa AP ! Sometimes tennis doesn't isn't priority..

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I have been to Rome during this time of year. Its looks chilly outside there. It was .back in 08 ..Lord knows I wished I could have worked into my schedule to see Rafa play on clay but I was trying to be Casa AP ! Sometimes tennis doesn't isn't priority..

Shame you did not make it to Roma in 2008, I was there, it is a great tournament, steeped in tradition and history not to mention Rafa has won the tournament 10 times

 

[Hoergren]

Seems Iga has opened her bakery with a bang 6-0 6-0 over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova - a joy to watch her energy

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Seems Iga has opened her bakery with a bang 6-0 6-0 over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova - a joy to watch her energy

Iga is just a 'joy to watch on clay'

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Ladies seeds who have lost so far today,
J. Teichmann (26), M. Trevisan (18), O.Jabeur (4), Jabeur a finalist last year in Rome as well, though sad to say she has been plagued by injuries this year, Mertens (25), Alexandrova (15), Pera (28) Andreescu (24)

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Finally a seed, apart from Swiatek, with a solid first rd match, Kasatkina (8) in SS over Pigato 61 62

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Last ladies match today between Andresscu (24) v Vondrousova, a day when a lot of seeds went out the door.
Help me Bianca off to a slow start 0-3?
Bianca?
Vondrousova 6-0 1st set? I have No Words Bianca

Forgot about the Rybakina (7) vs J. Paolini match just started

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Bianca it would really help your game if your shots land 'Inside the bloody court'

Another seed bites the dust
Marketa Vondrousova d Bianca Andreescu (24) 60 61.. gotta give credit to Marketa, just outplayed Bianca on all levels today

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

In a tight 1st set Rybakina won 76(4) over Paolini, her serve was the major difference
Good 2nd set from Rybakina getting her clay legs, winning 76(4) 61