Novak Djokovic its continued Italy Open Defending the championship with a 6-3 4-6 6-1 win over the 26th seeded Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov While the women’s champion Iga Swiatek While beating the Ukrainians, he handed out another “bagel” Lesia Tsurenko.
Djokovic, who will lose the world No. 1 ranking to Carlos Alcaraz at the end of the Masters 1000, overcame a slow start in the third round matches and a late comeback attempt by familiar rival Dimitrov to cross the line.
Both players delivered their serve early in the first set before Djokovic stepped up his game and took a 4-1 lead, and the 11th win against Dimitrov in 12 matches seemed inevitable.
Taking his only win against the Serbian world’s number 1 in Madrid 10 years ago, Dimitrov produced a tight grip but could not prevent his opponent from escaping with the opening set and seizing the advantage in the next set.
However, the old world No 3 played 4 games in a row 2-4 to take the second set and force a decision maker. However, after Djokovic secured a double timeout in the third set, he responded powerfully and gave a roar, this time remaining firm to advance.
Two-time champion Swiatek had previously lost the first two games of his third round match to Tsurenko. But world No. 1 responded to claim the next 12 for a 6-2 6-0 win that extended the Roma winning streak to 13 games.
Iga Swiatek dominates Lesia Tsurenko in Rome
(AFP via Getty Images)
The Polish leader appeared in ominous form, beating former French Open finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-0 6-0 at Foro Italico and will continue her ascent to Roland Garros by playing against Liudmila Samsonova or Donna Vekic.
former Paris runner-up Marketa Vondrousova Greek eliminated ninth place Maria Sakkari 7-5 6-3 and she’ll get another chance to continue her giant kill streak in Rome when she encounters Elena Rybakina or Anna Kalinskaya in round 16.
sixth seed Coco Gauff then crashed against Marie Buzkova4-6 6-2 6-2 which sealed the win.
Danil Medvedev He broke the Roman duck in his fourth attempt with a clinical second-round win. Emil Ruusuvuori.
“A little (relaxing)”, Medvedev said after his 6-4 6-2 win. “Every time I come to a tournament, I know I can play well, so I’m happy to finally win here in Rome.”
second last year Stefanos Tsitsipas He also advanced to the third round and needed just five minutes to win the two games needed to complete his 6-3 6-3 win after the competition was suspended due to rain on Saturday.
seventh seed Holger Rune was equally impressive in a 6-4 6-2 win against the local favorite Fabio Fognini and will meet Alexei popirin In the fourth round after Australia won Roman Safiullin 7-5 7-5.
Reuters
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