Two highest-ranked seeds misplaced their opening-round fits on the Rome Open on Thursday, within the night. Sofia Kenin took out moment seed and international no. 2 Aryna Sabalenka whilst Taylor Townsend wrapped up a win over 3rd seed and international no.
3, Jessica Pegula. In a face-off of 2 Australian Open champions, the 2020 titlist defeated the 2023 champion, 7-6(4), 6-2 after an hour and 38 mins of play. The hole set noticed a few alternate of breaks however Kenin got here out more potent in the second one, spurred through the momentum of getting gained the primary.
Kenin gained 73% of her first-serve issues to Sabalenka’s 70% and 45% of her second-serve issues. She additionally gained 69% issues on go back at the latter’s serve. All-in-all, this used to be a disappointing turnaround for Sabalenka who gained the Mutua Madrid Open final week, proper sooner than going into Roland Garros.
In the meantime, within the 3rd around, the 134th ranked Kenin will play thirtieth seed Anhelina Kalinina.
Rome Open: Taylor Townsend tailors an disappointed
The American derby between Townsend and Pegula noticed the latter pull off a 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 win after an hour and 55 mins of play.
In her first-round tournament on Wednesday, in opposition to Ysaline Bonaventure, Townsend needed to mount a comeback. On the other hand, in opposition to Pegula even though Townsend fell at the back of an early smash within the opening set, she controlled to protected a dominant comeback for herself and take the lead within the tournament.
Within the deciding set, Townsend’s sport used to be close to impenetrable for Pegula to make a step forward. Townsend will tackle Xiyu Wang for an opportunity to succeed in the 3rd around of a WTA 1000 event for the primary time in her profession.
5th seed Caroline Garcia have shyed away from a equivalent destiny as Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula in her opening-round match-up on the Rome Open. The Frenchwoman posted a hard-fought 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 win over Ana Bogdan after just about two hours and half-hour.
Camila Osorio will probably be Garcia’s subsequent problem. Photograph Credit score: Rome Open Twitter 
