Swiatek and Gauff had problems in the opening match in Rome
Iga Swiatek simply continued where she left off in Madrid. The Pole made a strong first appearance and, especially in the first set, swept over her opponent Bernadra Pera and won it 6-0. The second set contained longer rallies and often went over deuces. Ultimately, Swiatek only played two games. Next up is the young number one Sivatek, Yulia Putintseva, who was able to defeat Sloane Stepehns today.
Picking up right where she left off in Madrid 💪@iga_swiatek | #IBI24 pic.twitter.com/yLmzCM6pS1
— wta (@WTA) May 9, 2024
Coco Gauff: Step by step to number two?
Coco Gauff started the Masters tournament in Rome with a problem-free 6:3 and 6:3 victory. The 20-year-old American played aggressively and hit almost 30 winners in the match. At the tournament in Rome, Gauff has the chance to become number two in the world rankings and replace Aryna Sabalenka from her long-lasting reign. Gauff would have to reach at least the semi-finals to defeat Sabalenka. If she succeeds and Sabalenka loses before the quarterfinals, Gauff will become the new number 2 – a new career highlight for the US Open winner. First, the world number three meets the unseeded Jaqueline Cristian.
Racing to the finish line 🏁@CocoGauff serves up a speedy 6-3, 6-3 win over Frech to begin her fortnight in Rome.#IBI24 pic.twitter.com/zLmVuTtaUH
— wta (@WTA) May 9, 2024
Osaka defeats Kostyuk to claim her first top 20 win on clay
Naomi Osaka secured the first top 20 win of her career on clay after defeating No. 20 Marta Kostyuk 6-3, 6-2 in the second round of the WTA 1000 tournament in Rome.
Osaka was already able to celebrate a win against France’s Clara Burel yesterday. Osaka’s opponent today was top 20 player Marta Kostyuk, who has had a successful season so far and reached two WTA 500 finals, including the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix three weeks ago. Today, however, Osaka hardly gave her opponent a chance and Kostyuk clearly had difficulty finding her way into the match. The former world number one quickly took the first set and even the rain break in the middle of the second set did not upset the Japanese. Osaka secured her ticket to the third round of the Masters with her first match point at 5:2, 40:30 in 71 minutes.
🚨 THIS IS NOT A DRILL 🚨@naomiosaka defeats Kostyuk 6-3, 6-2 for her first Top 20 win on clay!#IBI24 pic.twitter.com/gJvkcYhHz3
— wta (@WTA) May 9, 2024
Osaka will face 10th seed Daria Kasatkina in the third round. It will be the first meeting between the two since the Indian Wells final in 2018, which Osaka won 6-3, 6-2 to win her first title on the Hologic WTA Tour.
