Tennis

In the highly anticipated Rome semifinal, Iga Swiatek once again proved her dominance on clay, defeating Coco Gauff in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3. This victory extended Swiatek's winning streak against Gauff to 10-1, highlighting the vast gap between the two players' clay-court prowess.Swiatek's relentless aggression and pinpoint accuracy forced Gauff into numerous errors, particularly on her weaker forehand. The American's second serve, which she has been working to improve, proved to be a liability, with Swiatek capitalizing on its weakness. Gauff saved seven of the 11 break points she faced, but the constant pressure proved too much to handle.Despite Gauff's valiant efforts, Swiatek's all-around game and superior clay-court skills were simply too much to overcome. The Polish star has now won 10 of their 11 career meetings, with Gauff's lone victory coming in Cincinnati last year.Swiatek's victory sets up a potential rematch of the Madrid final against Aryna Sabalenka or a clash with Danielle Collins, who has been enjoying a resurgence this spring. Gauff, on the other hand, will need to find a way to improve her clay-court game if she wants to challenge Swiatek's dominance.

Tommy Paul's impressive victory over Daniil Medvedev in Rome has boosted his confidence, but he faces a formidable challenge in Hubert Hurkacz in the quarterfinals. While Paul has struggled against Top 10 opponents in the past, Hurkacz has been in exceptional form on clay this season.Hurkacz's serve is expected to be a key factor in the match. With a 90.3% hold percentage this season and an 86.0% hold percentage on clay over the last 52 weeks, he has proven to be a formidable server. Paul, on the other hand, has a hold percentage of just 76.0% on clay.In addition to his serve, Hurkacz has also been returning at a high level in Rome. His 7.2 shot quality on return is the highest among all remaining players in the tournament. He has also displayed impressive serve quality, putting pressure on opponents when they serve.While Paul may have an advantage in longer rallies, Hurkacz's serve and return game are likely to make the difference. The Pole has shown a new level of consistency and aggression on clay this season, and he is the favorite to advance to the semifinals.

Taylor Fritz, the American tennis star, has emerged as a formidable force on clay courts this season, becoming the first U.S. man to reach the quarterfinals or better of all three clay-court Masters 1000 tournaments. Fritz's newfound confidence on the surface stems from a consistent clay-court diet and a commitment to playing the full swing.Fritz's journey to clay-court success began with a runner-up finish at the 2015 junior Roland Garros. However, it wasn't until recent years that he fully embraced the surface. By playing all the clay-court events, Fritz has gained valuable experience and identified the strengths of his game that translate well to clay.Fritz's forehand, in particular, thrives on clay. He relishes the high ball and the opportunity to hit a spinny, heavy forehand with ample time. This shot has been a key weapon in his recent victories.At the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, Fritz has dropped just one set, showcasing his newfound consistency. Despite a marathon tiebreaker against Grigor Dimitrov, Fritz remained composed and saved all 11 break points faced.Fritz's next opponent, Alexander Zverev, poses a significant challenge. Zverev leads their head-to-head 4-3, but Fritz has won two of their last three meetings. The pair have never faced off on clay, adding an intriguing element to their upcoming encounter.Fritz's transformation into "Claylor" is a testament to his dedication and adaptability. By embracing the challenges of clay courts, he has unlocked a new dimension to his game and established himself as a contender on all surfaces.

Coco Gauff's resilience shone through at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia as she overcame a set deficit to defeat Paula Badosa 5-7, 6-4, 6-1. The reigning US Open champion, who has faced serving struggles on clay, displayed her mental fortitude to survive a spirited performance from the former world No. 2.Badosa, returning from injury, started strongly, taking the first set 5-7. However, Gauff's determination was evident as she fought back in the second set, breaking Badosa twice to level the match. The third set was all Gauff, as she broke Badosa three times to secure a convincing victory.Gauff's victory was particularly impressive given her recent struggles with her serve. She committed 11 double faults but managed to overcome this weakness with her aggressive groundstrokes and clutch play in key moments.The match was also notable for the camaraderie between the two players. Gauff had previously reached out to Badosa during her injury struggles, and their friendship was evident on the court.Up next for Gauff is a challenging encounter against No. 7 seed Zheng Qinwen, who defeated Naomi Osaka earlier in the day. This will be the first meeting between the two players, and Gauff will need to continue her impressive form to advance further in the tournament.

Aryna Sabalenka, the world's second-ranked tennis player, has expressed her deep affection for the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, describing it as her "dream" tournament. Sabalenka's love for Rome extends beyond the tennis court, as she relishes the city's vibrant atmosphere, delectable cuisine, and picturesque streets.Despite her success at other clay-court tournaments, including two Mutua Madrid Open titles and three consecutive Porsche Tennis Grand Prix finals, Sabalenka has faced challenges at the Foro Italico. However, her determination to conquer Rome remains unwavering."Every time I was losing here, I was so sad," Sabalenka confessed. "I felt like I lost on the Grand Slam because it was one of the dream tournaments for me to win. It's still one of my dream tournaments."In her pursuit of the elusive Rome title, Sabalenka has made a significant sacrifice: she has sworn off sugar for the duration of the tournament. This means no indulging in Rome's famous gelato, a temptation she finds particularly difficult to resist."Stracciatella, pistachio, vanilla. I would go for all them, like a big bowl of gelatos. Dream snack," Sabalenka said with a laugh.Despite her dietary restrictions, Sabalenka has found solace in Rome's savory culinary delights. Her favorite pasta dishes include truffle carbonara and spicy red pasta with meat."Every pasta is my favorite here!" she exclaimed.Sabalenka's next challenge in her quest for the Rome trophy will be either two-time champion Elina Svitolina or No. 23 seed Anna Kalinskaya. With four wins standing between her and her dream, Sabalenka remains focused and determined to make her Roman dream a reality.

Naomi Osaka, the four-time Grand Slam champion, has made a strong start to her clay-court season, reaching the fourth round of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome. Osaka, who has struggled on clay in the past, has credited a change in mindset and a focus on watching top players like Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz for her improved performance.After a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Daria Kasatkina, Osaka admitted that she still needs more experience on clay to earn the nickname "Clayomi." However, she is confident that she is making progress and is grateful to be back on the court after giving birth to her daughter in 2023.Osaka's win over Kasatkina, a 2022 Roland Garros semifinalist, was her second Top 20 victory on clay this season. She had previously defeated Porsche Tennis Grand Prix finalist Marta Kostyuk. Osaka's success in Rome is a testament to her hard work and determination to improve on her least favorite surface.In the past, Osaka has struggled to adjust to the slower pace and higher bounce of clay courts. However, she has spent a significant amount of time practicing and studying the game on clay. She has also been watching videos of top players like Nadal and Alcaraz to learn how to play the surface more effectively.Osaka's next opponent in Rome is Zheng Qinwen, who reached the final of the 2024 Australian Open. Zheng is a big hitter with a powerful forehand and backhand. Osaka will need to be at her best to defeat Zheng and reach her second WTA 1000 quarterfinal of the season.

Rafael Nadal's illustrious career at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia came to an abrupt end on Saturday, as he suffered a disappointing 6-1, 6-3 defeat to Hubert Hurkacz in the second round. The 10-time champion, who has hinted at retiring in 2024, was outplayed by the No. 7 seed in a match that lasted just 92 minutes.Nadal, who had recently achieved his 700th victory at the Foro Italico, was aiming for his first Top 10 win since 2022. However, Hurkacz proved too strong, overwhelming the Spaniard with his powerful forehand and consistent serve.Prior to the tournament, Nadal had revealed that he had been playing conservatively to protect his body from further injuries. However, he had planned to increase his intensity ahead of the upcoming Roland Garros, where he has won a record 14 titles.The match began with a riveting start, with the first two games taking 26 minutes to complete. However, Hurkacz, who had famously defeated Roger Federer in the 2021 Wimbledon Championships, gradually gained control of the match. He won the next five games to take the first set 6-1.Hurkacz continued his dominance in the second set, breaking Nadal's serve in the opening game. Nadal managed to keep the score closer, but Hurkacz remained unyielding, dropping just one point on serve to take a 5-3 lead.With Nadal serving to stay in the match, Hurkacz struck a powerful forehand into the open court to earn a match point. The Pole then overpowered Nadal one last time from the back of the court to seal the victory and advance to the fourth round, where he will face No. 25 seed Tomás Martín Etcheverry.Nadal's defeat marks a significant moment in his career, as it could be his last appearance at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia. The Spaniard has enjoyed immense success at the tournament, winning the title 10 times. However, with his retirement looming, it is possible that this was his final match on the clay courts of Rome.

Taylor Fritz, known as "Claylor" for his unexpected success on clay, has reached the third round of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia. Despite being an American who didn't play on red clay until he was 16, Fritz has excelled on the surface, reaching the final in Munich and the semifinals in Madrid.Fritz attributes his success to his forehand, which he believes is well-suited for clay. He has also improved his movement and tactics on the surface. While he acknowledges that he may never be the best clay-court player, he is determined to prove that he can be competitive.Another American, Sebastian Korda, has also found success on clay. Korda, who spent his childhood playing on clay in Europe, has won an ATP title on the surface and reached the fourth round of the French Open. He recently won a Masters 1000 doubles title in Madrid.Korda and Fritz will face off in the third round of the Italian Open. Despite Fritz's recent success on clay, Korda holds a 1-0 head-to-head advantage. However, Fritz believes he has the edge on clay and is looking forward to the challenge.The match between Fritz and Korda promises to be a competitive battle between two of the most promising American clay-court players. The winner will be a serious contender for a deep run in the tournament.

Elena Rybakina Withdraws from Rome Due to Illness, Title Defense ThwartedDefending champion Elena Rybakina has regrettably withdrawn from the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome, citing illness. The No. 4 seed, who has been in impressive form on clay this season, expressed her disappointment at not being able to compete."I am disappointed to have to withdraw from Rome this year, but unfortunately I do not feel well enough to compete," Rybakina said in a statement. "I have such good memories from last year and was looking forward to defending my title."Rybakina's withdrawal is a significant blow to the tournament, as she was one of the favorites to win. Last year, she captured her first WTA 1000 title on clay at the Foro Italico, defeating Anhelina Kalinina in the final.The Kazakhstani star has been known to suffer from allergies in Rome and at Roland Garros, and she appeared under the weather during Monday's Media Day. She struggled to answer questions during her pre-tournament press conference, hinting at her discomfort.Rybakina was scheduled to face Irina-Camelia Begu in her opening round after receiving a first-round bye. She will be replaced in the women's singles draw by lucky loser Océane Dodin.Rybakina's absence opens up the draw for other contenders, including Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, and Ons Jabeur. The tournament will still feature a strong field of players, but Rybakina's withdrawal is a notable loss.