Tennis

Aryna Sabalenka's remarkable victory over Elina Svitolina in the fourth round of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia showcased her newfound mastery of the drop shot. Despite facing adversity throughout the match, including an erratic start, a lower back problem, and three match points, Sabalenka's resilience and tactical brilliance prevailed.In the opening set, Svitolina seized the early advantage, breaking Sabalenka's serve and dictating the pace with her powerful forehand. However, Sabalenka's determination shone through as she fought back with a series of well-executed drop shots. These delicate shots forced Svitolina to scramble behind the baseline, disrupting her rhythm and creating opportunities for Sabalenka to attack.As the match progressed, Sabalenka's back flared up, causing her to decelerate on her serve. Svitolina attempted to capitalize on this weakness, but Sabalenka's unwavering spirit and the support of the crowd spurred her on. She continued to employ the drop shot effectively, using it both as a defensive tool and a means to set up her powerful forehand.In the third set, Sabalenka's drop shot proved to be the decisive factor. She used it to break Svitolina's serve at a crucial moment, moving ahead 4-2. Svitolina fought back, breaking back at love, but Sabalenka's resilience and determination ultimately proved too much.In the tense tie-break, Sabalenka faced three match points but refused to give up. She saved the first two with powerful serves and the third with a stunning forehand return. With the momentum on her side, Sabalenka closed out the match with an imposing forehand return that forced Svitolina to net her final backhand.Sabalenka's victory is a testament to her growing maturity and tactical awareness. Her ability to adapt to the challenges of the match and execute the drop shot with precision and effectiveness has elevated her to the forefront of the women's game. As she advances to the quarterfinals, Sabalenka will face a formidable opponent in Jelena Ostapenko, but her newfound confidence and mastery of the drop shot will make her a formidable contender for the title.

The Internazionali BNL d'Italia witnessed a mixed bag of results for American tennis hopefuls on Sunday. While Danielle Collins and Taylor Fritz emerged victorious, Ben Shelton and Sofia Kenin faced setbacks.Collins continued her impressive form, dispatching Caroline Garcia in straight sets (6-3, 6-3). The 13th seed capitalized on five of six break points, extending her winning streak against the Frenchwoman to 10-0 in sets. Collins will now face Irina-Camelia Begu in the round of 16, aiming for her first WTA 1000 clay-court quarterfinal.Fritz also secured a comfortable victory, defeating compatriot Sebastian Korda (6-3, 6-4). The No. 11 seed has now won nine of 11 matches on red dirt this season. He will next face Grigor Dimitrov, who overcame Terence Atmane in straight sets.However, Shelton's run in Rome came to an end as he was defeated by Zhang Zhizhen (6-2, 6-4). The Chinese No. 1 advanced to the fourth round of an ATP Masters 1000 event for the third time. He will now face Thiago Monteiro in the round of 16.Kenin, who had upset Ons Jabeur in the previous round, was unable to maintain her momentum. She was edged out by qualifier Rebecca Sramkova in a three-set battle (6-4, 4-6, 6-4).

Zheng Qinwen, the rising Chinese star, has made a triumphant return to action at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome after a right leg injury forced her to retire in Madrid last week. Despite being at 95% fitness, Zheng displayed impressive form in her opening-round victory over American Shelby Rogers, winning 6-2, 6-0.Zheng's injury setback in Madrid came as a surprise after her strong performance at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix the previous week. However, she revealed that she had been playing injured in Stuttgart due to a demanding spring schedule. The jam-packed calendar, including the Billie Jean King Cup and jet lag, took its toll on her body.Despite the injury, Zheng held five match points in her Stuttgart second round against Marta Kostyuk, who eventually reached the final. Zheng acknowledged that she would have won if not for the injury.After a week away from practice, Zheng arrived in Madrid undercooked and was unable to complete her match against Yulia Putintseva. She realized that her body was not ready and her mind was not prepared to push.With the help of coach Pere Riba, Zheng trained in Barcelona and was relieved to have a successful start in Rome. She struck six aces and dominated the match against Rogers, showcasing her impressive movement and shot-making.Zheng expressed her gratitude for being able to play without fear and enjoy the competition. She emphasized the importance of taking care of her diet and recovering properly, believing that small details can significantly impact her performance on court.Despite her love for ice cream, Zheng has refrained from indulging in gelato to prioritize her recovery. She is focused on achieving sweet victories on the court, with her next challenge being a third-round clash against No. 29 seed Linda Noskova.

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.

For the past two decades, spring tennis has been synonymous with Rafael Nadal's dominance on clay. However, this year, a new era is emerging, with Iga Swiatek becoming the undisputed queen of the red dirt.Since 2022, Swiatek has won all three top-tier WTA clay titles in Stuttgart, Madrid, and Rome. At just 22 years old, she has already claimed three Roland Garros titles, establishing herself as the heir apparent to Nadal's throne.While Swiatek's dominance may not yet match Nadal's at her age, her performances on clay have been equally impressive. She has won 58 consecutive matches on the surface after taking the first set, showcasing her ability to maintain an iron grip on her opponents.With injuries sidelining the ATP's top stars, Swiatek has seized the opportunity to cement her status as the world's leading player. Her recent victory in Madrid, where she defeated Aryna Sabalenka in the final, further solidified her dominance.Swiatek's success is not limited to the court. She has graced the cover of Elle magazine in Poland and has held the No. 1 ranking for 102 of the past 106 weeks. Despite her demanding schedule, she remains enthusiastic about her life on tour."I love the food, the different vibe, the courts, the nature, and the fans," Swiatek said of the Rome tournament. "It's pretty crazy here usually with the fans. They're loud and they're everywhere."Swiatek's ability to adjust to different clay conditions is a testament to her versatility. She has no trouble transitioning from the faster clay in Madrid to the slower surface in Rome, where her backhand return has proven to be a devastating weapon.Despite her success, Swiatek remains grounded and focused on enjoying her time on tour. She recognizes the importance of maintaining a healthy perspective and not putting too much pressure on herself."This year I feel pretty comfortable because I felt like I played well," Swiatek said. "I just want to enjoy, honestly, being on tour, and not put too much baggage on my shoulders because we have to survive to November."As the clay-court season reaches its climax, the question remains: Can Swiatek extend her Peak Iga season through Roland Garros? With her current form, it would be unwise to bet against her.

In the highly anticipated Round of 64 clash at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, two struggling stars, Sofia Kenin and Ons Jabeur, will face off. Kenin, once a top-ranked player, has endured a two-year slump, while Jabeur, a three-time Grand Slam finalist, has also been grappling with inconsistent form.Despite her recent struggles, Kenin has shown signs of improvement. In her previous match against Lucia Bronzetti, she displayed impressive dominance as a returner, breaking five times in two sets. Her baseline shots were powerful and accurate, and her movement along the baseline was fluid.Kenin's record against Jabeur is also noteworthy. She holds a 5-2 advantage in their head-to-head encounters. Additionally, Jabeur has been struggling with her precision in slice and drop shots, which have been key components of her success in the past.Furthermore, Kenin's experience on clay courts is an advantage. She reached the finals of Roland Garros in 2020, demonstrating her ability to handle the slow and bouncy conditions. These conditions allow her to play more balls and extend rallies.On the other hand, Jabeur's serve has been a concern in 2024. Her hold percentage is a mere 64.2%, which could give Kenin ample opportunities to break her serve.Considering Kenin's recent form, her favorable record against Jabeur, and the conditions that suit her style of play, it is reasonable to expect her to cover the 4.5-game spread.

Karolina Muchova, the 2021 Roland Garros finalist, has made a significant step in her recovery from wrist surgery by returning to practice. The Czech star shared an encouraging video on social media, showcasing her progress on an indoor hard court.Muchova's breakthrough season in 2023 saw her reach the US Open semifinals, break into the world's Top 10, and qualify for the WTA Finals. However, a persistent wrist injury forced her to withdraw from the Australian Open and end her season prematurely.In February, Muchova underwent surgery to address the recurring issue. Despite the setback, she has remained active in her recovery, participating in the Prague Half-Marathon in April. The event promotes physical activity and wellness for special-needs children, and Muchova pushed children in special sports wheelchairs along the course."Speed was secondary; what mattered was the journey we embarked on together," Muchova said. "Our goal transcended personal achievements, aiming to give every child the joy of the race and the liberating rush of the wind."Muchova's return to practice is a positive sign for her recovery. She reached a career-high world No. 8 in September 2023, and her absence from the tour has seen her drop to No. 14.With her determination and resilience, Muchova is expected to make a strong comeback to the WTA circuit. Her return will be a welcome addition to the women's game, as she brings a unique blend of power and finesse to the court.

Camila Giorgi, the enigmatic Italian tennis star, has quietly retired from the sport, leaving the tennis world in a state of surprise. Her name recently appeared on the International Tennis Integrity Agency's (ITIA) retired players list, confirming her departure from the tour.Giorgi's decision to retire came as a shock, as she had not publicly announced her intentions. She had not entered the recent Roland Garros tournament, but her absence had not raised any immediate concerns. The 32-year-old's last competitive match was at the Miami Open, where she lost to world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the second round.Throughout her career, Giorgi was known for her aggressive style of play and powerful groundstrokes. She won four WTA Tour titles, including the prestigious Montreal tournament in 2021. Her best Grand Slam result was a quarterfinal appearance at Wimbledon in 2018.Giorgi's retirement marks the end of an era in Italian tennis. She was one of the country's most successful female players in recent years, alongside Flavia Pennetta and Francesca Schiavone. Her departure leaves a void in the Italian team and will be a significant loss for the sport.By declaring herself retired, Giorgi will need to make herself available for out-of-competition testing for at least six months if she has any change of heart down the road. However, given her lack of public statements and social media activity, it seems unlikely that she will return to the tour anytime soon.

The WTA tour shifts its focus to Rome for the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, where the world's top players will vie for the title on the iconic red clay of the Foro Italico. After a thrilling Madrid Open, the women's draw in Rome promises more captivating matches and potential upsets.World No. 1 Iga Swiatek, fresh off her Madrid triumph, will be the player to beat. The Polish star has a remarkable 14-2 record in Rome, including two titles. Her quarterfinal draw appears manageable, with Marketa Vondrousova and Ekaterina Alexandrova as potential obstacles.Coco Gauff, ranked third in the world, will be eager to prove her clay-court credentials. Despite a disappointing start to the season on clay, Gauff has a strong record in Rome, reaching the semifinals in 2021. She could face a stern test against former Roland Garros champion Barbora Krejcikova in the second round.Elena Rybakina, the reigning Rome champion, will be another contender. Her serve-based game has proven effective on clay, as evidenced by her Stuttgart title and Madrid semifinal appearance. Danielle Collins, who defeated Rybakina in the Miami final, could be a potential threat in her quarter.Aryna Sabalenka, the Madrid runner-up, will be looking to bounce back from her heartbreaking loss to Swiatek. However, her record in Rome is less impressive, and she could face a tough quarterfinal against Ons Jabeur or Dayana Yastremska.The semifinals could feature a rematch of the Madrid final between Swiatek and Sabalenka, while Rybakina and Gauff could clash in the other semifinal. The final could be a repeat of the Madrid semifinal, with Rybakina seeking revenge against Swiatek.With a star-studded field and the Roland Garros just around the corner, the Internazionali BNL d'Italia promises to be a thrilling spectacle of women's tennis.