Top seed Aryna Sabalenka made a strong start at the Internazionali d’Italia in Rome, defeating Anastasia Potapova convincingly with a score of 6-2, 6-2. This victory marks Sabalenka’s seventh consecutive win, and she showcased impressive skills, landing 70% of her first serves and winning a remarkable 80% of points on those serves. She hit 18 winners during the match and seemed at ease as she adjusted to the clay surface.
In a light-hearted moment after the match, Potapova humorously gestured at Sabalenka, to which the Belarusian responded with understanding, noting their friendship and the absence of tension between them. Sabalenka’s next challenge will be against No. 31 seed Sofia Kenin, who secured her spot by overcoming Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Coco Gauff, the fourth seed, faced a tougher matchup against rising star Victoria Mboko. Gauff emerged victorious after a hard-fought battle, winning 3-6, 6-2, 6-1. After the match, Gauff praised Mboko’s talent and acknowledged the challenges she posed, reflecting on how she needed to elevate her game to secure the win. The 18-year-old Canadian qualifier has made significant strides in her ranking, moving up nearly 200 spots to a career-high position.
Next, Gauff will compete against No. 32 seed Magda Linette, who recently staged a comeback against Maria Sakkari. Gauff leads their head-to-head rivalry but will likely need to keep her focus to advance further in the tournament.
In other notable results, Emma Navarro and Zheng Qinwen both won their matches in straight sets. Zheng, seeded eighth, continues her excellent form, having won 11 of her last 14 matches. She will face Magdalena Frech in her next match. Navarro, the 10th seed, also had a solid performance against Kamilla Rakhimova and is set to play No. 22 seed Clara Tauson in the next round.
Former champion Elena Rybakina and Bianca Andreescu won their matches and will face off against each other, adding an exciting rematch to the tournament.
Amidst the competitions, the spirit of sportsmanship shone brightly, particularly in the encounter between Daria Kasatkina and Marta Kostyuk. Their handshake signified a respectful acknowledgment amidst the ongoing tensions related to the war in Ukraine, showcasing the courage of athletes who stand up for their beliefs.
The atmosphere in Rome promises to remain vibrant as the tournament progresses, with young talents and seasoned champions alike displaying their prowess on the court. The sense of camaraderie and competitive spirit reflected in the matches offers a hopeful outlook for the rest of the event, highlighting the resilience and determination of the players involved.