After two further days of play, the Italian contingent at the Rome Open (Italian Open) has dwindled to only 3 Italians. Two of them play today, facing tough opponents.
The crowd’s favourite for the women’s title at the Rome Open, Jasmine Paolini did not win a match at this year’s event. Seeded 11, Paolini had a bye in the first round, and faced Egypt’s Maya Sherif in the second round.
In a hard-fought match, which lasted 2 hours and 41 minutes, it was the Egyptian who triumphed, 7-6, 2-6, 6-4.
Sara Errani’s run also came to an end, with 16th seed Svitolina wiping her off the court in a 6-0, 6-2 win.
The last of the Italian women left in the draw, Elisabetta Cocciaretto, also lost in straight sets 6-2, 7-6 to France’s Garcia, seeded 22.
Italian men down to three in the draw
At the start of the week, you would not have out money on the remaining players in the draw being wild card Napolitano, qualifier Passaro and no. 54 ranked Darderi. But then sport has a funny way of panning out.
Passaro, ranked 240 in the world, knocked out Dutch n.23 seed Griekspoor in three sets, taking the win 4-6, 6-3, 7-6. Today he is first up on the Grand Stand Arena, facing Borges, ranked 53 in the world. Can he make it even further?
Napolitano, who was given a wild card into the Rome Open draw, beat lucky lose Shang of China in three sets, 6-7, 6-1, 6-0. He has a rest day today, but will face Nicolas Jarry of Chile in the next round. Jarry defeated Italy’s Arnaldi in straight sets, 6-2, 7-6.
Darderi continued his impressive run with a straight sets victory over 28 seed Navone of Argentina. Taking the match 6-3, 6-2, Darderi has a much tougher opponent today. He will face the n.3 seed, Germany’s Zverev this afternoon.
N.10 seed, Rune, made short work of Nardi, winning 6-4,6-4. Fognini went out to n.11 seed Fritz in similar style, losing 6-3,6-4.
Musetti retired having lost the first set 7-5 to qualifier Atmane from France. Musetti has been trying to fight off a virus over the last few days, but could not continue, retiring from the match at 1-0 down in the second set.
The n.20 seed, Cerundolo, took out Gigante in straight sets 6-1, 6-3. Finally, Cobolli put up a strong fight against n.24 Korda of the USA, losing in three sets 7-6, 4-6, 4-6.
