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Fognini fires up Foro Italico crowd with win over Thiem
ROME (AP) — Fabio Fognini got the Foro Italico crowd fired up Wednesday with a 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 win over sixth-seeded Dominic Thiem in the second round of the Italian Open.
Fognini fires up Foro Italico crowd with win over Thiem
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ROME | Fognini fires up Foro Italico crowd with win over Thiem
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ROME | Fognini fires up Foro Italico crowd with win over Thiem
ROME (AP) — Fabio Fognini got the Foro Italico crowd fired up Wednesday with a 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 win over sixth-seeded Dominic Thiem in the second round of the Italian Open.
Italy’s top player came out wearing a black shirt with a red lightning bolt design down his chest and he was energized from the start, grazing the flower beds lining the court to return Thiem’s high-bouncing topspin serves and frustrating the Austrian with well-placed lobs and touch volleys.
“I played very well today,” said Thiem, who beat Rafael Nadal in the Madrid Open semifinals last week. “It was just him, he was very pumped playing at home.”
Nadal, a seven-time Rome champion, routed 31st-ranked Damir Dzumhur 6-1, 6-0.
While Fognini drop-kicked his racket onto the court after a miss early in the third set, it was Thiem who ultimately lost his cool. In the final game, Thiem smashed his racket into a mangled wreck and handed it to a befuddled fan in the front row.
When Thiem netted a service return two points later to end it, the White Stripes’ Seven Nation Army was blasted over the stadium sound system and the crowd began singing along in an atmosphere that more closely resembled a soccer game than a tennis match.
“We’re finally connecting and I think that’s the most beautiful thing,” Fognini said of the crowd, which whistled him off the court following an erratic performance a few years ago. “They finally understand me.
“I beat a top clay-courter,” Fognini added. “I think I deserved it at the end. … I ruined a few flowers but I think the federation can afford to buy some new ones.”
Thiem was already looking ahead to the French Open, which starts on May 27.
“It’s a loss which is not too painful, which is just motivating me for the next weeks,” the Austrian said.
Also on the red clay of the Foro Italico, Albert Ramos-Vinolas rallied to beat eighth-seeded John Isner 6-7 (5), 7-6 (2), 7-6 (5).
In women’s action, Simona Halep routed Naomi Osaka 6-1, 6-0 for the first of two wins she needs this week to hold on to the No. 1 ranking.
Halep needs to reach at least the quarterfinals or risk losing the top spot to Caroline Wozniacki.
It was a sharp turnaround for Halep from when Osaka lost only three games against her in the Indian Wells semifinals in March — when Osaka went on to win her first career title.
Osaka wasted four break points and a chance to take a 2-0 lead in the first set, then lost 11 straight games.
“For some reason, I couldn’t get a ball in the court after that, on my backhand side,” Osaka said. “And she was playing very solid. And I knew she knew I couldn’t hit a backhand, so we were just having backhand rallies.
On Halep’s first match point, the 21st-ranked Osaka didn’t even make a move for Halep’s return of her second serve.
Last year in Rome, Halep rolled her ankle in the final and lost a lead and the championship to Elina Svitolina.
Maria Sakkari of Greece rallied past sixth-seeded Karolina Pliskova 3-6, 6-3, 7-5.
At 5-5 in the third, Pliskova got engaged in a lengthy argument after she had an overhead smash called out. The chair umpire
acknowledged that she “lost” the ball mark and therefore said the point should be awarded to Sakkari. On the next point, Sakkari converted a break then served it out.
Also, U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens held off a comeback from Estonian qualifier Kaia Kanepi in a 6-0, 5-7, 6-4 victory; seventh-seeded Caroline Garcia defeated Timea Babos 6-3, 6-4; and 14th-seeded Daria Kasatkina eliminated American qualifier Danielle Collins 6-2, 6-3.
By ANDREW DAMPF , By Associated Press – published on STL.News by St. Louis Media, LLC(R.A)
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Rafael Nadal powers past Novak Djokovic in the Italian Open final, earning a career first landmark over his long time rival | Business Insider
Rafael Nadal.
Rafael Nadal powered past Novak Djokovic in the 2019 Italian Open final on Sunday.
The Spaniard, who sought revenge for how easily the Serb had beaten him in the Australian Open final earlier in the year, served the perfect set in the first.
Nadal did not allow Djokovic time to settle, capitalising on any fatigue accrued from a three set semifinal against Diego Schwartzman that finished late on Saturday – far later than Nadal’s comfortable two set win over Stefano Tsitsipas earlier in the day.
Living up to his everlasting status as the clay court master above all others on the men’s circuit, Nadal dominated on the Foro Italico court with the trademark strength he gets from his forehand, winning precise winners that got the Rome crowd out from the edge of their seats.
Watch one of Nadal’s first set winners right here:
Nadal cruised to a first set win over Djokovic. At 6-0, it was the first time in their 52 match, 152 set rivalry that a “bagel,” a set won to love, had been scored. And Nadal, who had won three bagel sets earlier in the tourmanent, had done it with ease.
But Djokovic stopped Nadal’s consecutive game-winning run in the second set, eventually winning 6-4 because of a marked increase in the amount of points won on his first serve, limiting Nadal’s success on his own first serve, and getting the better of his old foe in the majority of rallies.
Djokovic smashed his racket in the third set.
At the beginning of the third set, Djokovic had the opportunity to serve for the lead but squandered it as Nadal broke him. Djokovic, irate, then bounced his racket off the clay surface, mangling one side beyond repair, before going 2-0 down. He’d never catch Nadal again.
Nadal’s chances of winning the Italian Open title, his first trophy on clay this season, were enhanced in the fifth game of the third set, when he took his chances on his break points to go 4-1 up.
Before long, it was 5-1, then 6-1, as Nadal closed out the set and match in style, winning his ninth title in Rome, and his first in 2019, giving him much-needed confidence, form, and momentum into the second Grand Slam event of the year – the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros later this month.
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Fognini fires up Italian Open crowd with win over Thiem
Fabio Fognini got the Foro Italico crowd fired up with a 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 win over sixth-seeded Dominic Thiem in the second round of the Italian Open.
from WFSB - Sports http://www.wfsb.com/story/38203120/fognini-fires-up-italian-open-crowd-with-win-over-thiem
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Djokovic behaves better in 1st match since US Open default
ROME (AP) — Novak Djokovic behaved higher Wednesday in his first match since being defaulted from the U.S. Open.
The highest-ranked Serb was largely courteous with the chair umpire and had no interplay with the road judges throughout a 6-3, 6-2 win over native wild-card entry Salvatore Caruso in his opening match on the Italian Open.
The efficiency got here in sharp distinction to the scene in New York 10 days in the past, when Djokovic was disqualified for unintentionally hitting a line choose within the throat with a ball. Djokovic stated earlier this week that the incident taught him ”an enormous lesson.”
”I used to be truly trying ahead to (enjoying once more) as quickly as attainable after what occurred in New York,” Djokovic stated. ”As a result of I really feel just like the sentiment on the courtroom must be constructive, and I must form of take away something that may presumably trigger any form of points to me – if there’s something.”
When the umpire got here down to examine a ball mark on the purple clay early within the first set and made an overrule in Caruso’s favor, Djokovic simply replied, ”Yup,” and rubbed out the mark together with his purple sneaker.
When Caruso impressed him – the Italian hit 13 winners to Djokovic’s 12 – Djokovic stated, ”Bravo.”
”It was a sizzling day in opposition to Caruso who already performed three matches right here, a clay courtroom specialist. It was an excellent check for me,” Djokovic stated. ”I am more than happy with the best way I dealt with myself in essential moments.”
Djokovic’s solely testy second got here in the course of the third recreation of the second set, which went to deuce seven instances earlier than Djokovic lastly broke Caruso’s serve. As the sport wore on, Djokovic appeared bothered by crowd noise, regardless that the Foro Italico is empty of followers this 12 months due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The one individuals contained in the stadium have been coaches and others working on the event.
”Which of them?” the umpire requested Djokovic, attempting to determine who was bothering him.
Djokovic replied curtly: ”There’s 10 individuals within the stands.”
Afterward, Djokovic defined: ”It was very, very quiet, which may be very uncommon to what we’re used to right here in Rome, which has one of many loudest and most energetic crowd atmospheres on the tour. However there was someone within the hall of the stadium that was speaking – about 5, six individuals.”
After successful, Djokovic laughed to himself as he carried out his common on-court celebration, waving his arms towards all 4 sides of the Campo Centrale stands.
”I miss the gang,” he stated. ”Italy has a pleasant tennis custom and this event has been round for a few years. It is just a little unusual.”
Djokovic, a four-time Rome champion, subsequent faces both Italian qualifier Marco Cecchinato or Filip Krajinovic.
Later, nine-time Rome champion Rafael Nadal was to make his return to competitors after a seven-month absence in opposition to Pablo Carreno Busta.
Additionally within the second spherical, Rome resident Matteo Berrettini defeated Argentina Federico Coria 7-5, 6-1, Marin Cilic beat sixth-seeded David Goffin 6-2, 6-2, and Italian wild-card entry Stefano Travaglia eradicated U.S. Open quarterfinalist Borna Coric 7-6 (2), 7-5.
Within the ladies’s event, top-seeded Simona Halep beat Italian wild-card entry Jasmine Paolini 6-3, 6-4, final 12 months’s semifinalist Kiki Bertens defeated Polona Hercog 6-2, 6-4, and Montenegrin qualifier Danka Kovinic eradicated sixth-seeded Belinda Bencic 6-3, 6-1.
The clay-court occasion, which was rescheduled from Could due to the pandemic, is a vital warmup for the rescheduled French Open, which begins in 11 days.
—
Extra AP Tennis: https://apnews.com/apf-Tennis and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports activities
—
Andrew Dampf on Twitter: www.twitter.com/AndrewDampf
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Tennis: From red carpet to red dirt, Muguruza the warrior
LONDON (Reuters) – Being the reigning Wimbledon champion and former French Open winner has its perks for Garbine Muguruza, like being invited to walk the red carpet at this year’s Oscars in Hollywood.
FILE PHOTO: Tennis – WTA Premier 5 – Italian Open – Foro Italico, Rome, Italy – May 16, 2018 Spain’s Garbine Muguruza in action during her second round match against Australia’s Daria Gavrilova REUTERS/Tony Gentile
Fun as that was, however, the powerful Spaniard knows her real place next week will be fighting it out on the red dirt trying to add to her grand slam total.
The world number three has had an up-and-down year, but will arrive at Roland Garros as one of the main contenders.
Last year proved a chastening experience in Paris when, as defending champion, she lost to local favorite Kristina Mladenovic in front of a raucous, partisan crowd and broke down in tears afterwards during her news conference.
Some might say a night mixing it with the stars of the silver screen might be more preferable than facing a hostile crowd on a dusty clay court, especially as the 24-year-old is dabbling in fashion design and recently modeled a series of looks for fashion bible Vogue.
Muguruza is quick to knock that notion back.
“I was invited (to the Oscars) by Rolex and thought it was a great opportunity, a chance in a lifetime,” Muguruza, announced as a global brand ambassador for mineral water company Evian this week, told Reuters.
“I felt like a bit out of place, like, ‘what am I doing here?’ It’s all about superstars and I was there representing the world of sport. It was a good experience to witness all the Hollywood glam. But I’m in a different world of competition.
“I’m more of a warrior. I live in a different world.”
Venezuela-born Muguruza burst on to the scene in 2015 when she reached the Wimbledon final and lost to Serena Williams.
She avenged that defeat a year later in the French Open final and then beat Venus Williams to win Wimbledon last year. She rose to number one in the world in September.
This season she claimed the Monterrey title in April but her form on clay has been inconsistent, losing to Russian 21-year-old Daria Kasatkina at the Madrid Open before suffering a surprise defeat by Australian Daria Gavrilova in Rome.
Muguruza, however, says she has learned not to dwell on defeats and ‘overthink’ — traits that hampered her in the months after her stunning 2016 French Open triumph.
“I just think now that when the day comes I’ll be ready,” she said. “You get upset for five minutes and then you’re like, ‘okay, it’s time to do something. What can I do for next time?’”
One thing that has not changed is her ultra-aggressive style and it never will, as long as she is hungry for slams.
“I have never seen someone winning such an important title by not being super-aggressive,” Muguruza, who is back working full-time with coach Sam Sumyk after ending a spell with fellow Spaniard and former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez.
“You have to go and get it. You will never win a grand slam waiting for it. You have to have an aggressive game.
“Of course every player has their own style, some more spin, some more flat, but you need to be aggressive in women’s tennis.
“If you are not, you are out.”
After the French it will be on to the grasscourts and Wimbledon where Muguruza will try to defend the title.
“In Spain the French was the tournament but I love the history and elegance of Wimbledon,” she said.
Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Ian Ransom
The post Tennis: From red carpet to red dirt, Muguruza the warrior appeared first on World The News.
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Tennis: From red carpet to red dirt, Muguruza the warrior
LONDON (Reuters) – Being the reigning Wimbledon champion and former French Open winner has its perks for Garbine Muguruza, like being invited to walk the red carpet at this year’s Oscars in Hollywood.
FILE PHOTO: Tennis – WTA Premier 5 – Italian Open – Foro Italico, Rome, Italy – May 16, 2018 Spain’s Garbine Muguruza in action during her second round match against Australia’s Daria Gavrilova REUTERS/Tony Gentile
Fun as that was, however, the powerful Spaniard knows her real place next week will be fighting it out on the red dirt trying to add to her grand slam total.
The world number three has had an up-and-down year, but will arrive at Roland Garros as one of the main contenders.
Last year proved a chastening experience in Paris when, as defending champion, she lost to local favorite Kristina Mladenovic in front of a raucous, partisan crowd and broke down in tears afterwards during her news conference.
Some might say a night mixing it with the stars of the silver screen might be more preferable than facing a hostile crowd on a dusty clay court, especially as the 24-year-old is dabbling in fashion design and recently modeled a series of looks for fashion bible Vogue.
Muguruza is quick to knock that notion back.
“I was invited (to the Oscars) by Rolex and thought it was a great opportunity, a chance in a lifetime,” Muguruza, announced as a global brand ambassador for mineral water company Evian this week, told Reuters.
“I felt like a bit out of place, like, ‘what am I doing here?’ It’s all about superstars and I was there representing the world of sport. It was a good experience to witness all the Hollywood glam. But I’m in a different world of competition.
“I’m more of a warrior. I live in a different world.”
Venezuela-born Muguruza burst on to the scene in 2015 when she reached the Wimbledon final and lost to Serena Williams.
She avenged that defeat a year later in the French Open final and then beat Venus Williams to win Wimbledon last year. She rose to number one in the world in September.
This season she claimed the Monterrey title in April but her form on clay has been inconsistent, losing to Russian 21-year-old Daria Kasatkina at the Madrid Open before suffering a surprise defeat by Australian Daria Gavrilova in Rome.
Muguruza, however, says she has learned not to dwell on defeats and ‘overthink’ — traits that hampered her in the months after her stunning 2016 French Open triumph.
“I just think now that when the day comes I’ll be ready,” she said. “You get upset for five minutes and then you’re like, ‘okay, it’s time to do something. What can I do for next time?’”
One thing that has not changed is her ultra-aggressive style and it never will, as long as she is hungry for slams.
“I have never seen someone winning such an important title by not being super-aggressive,” Muguruza, who is back working full-time with coach Sam Sumyk after ending a spell with fellow Spaniard and former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez.
“You have to go and get it. You will never win a grand slam waiting for it. You have to have an aggressive game.
“Of course every player has their own style, some more spin, some more flat, but you need to be aggressive in women’s tennis.
“If you are not, you are out.”
After the French it will be on to the grasscourts and Wimbledon where Muguruza will try to defend the title.
“In Spain the French was the tournament but I love the history and elegance of Wimbledon,” she said.
Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Ian Ransom
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Tennis: From red carpet to red dirt, Muguruza the warrior
LONDON (Reuters) – Being the reigning Wimbledon champion and former French Open winner has its perks for Garbine Muguruza, like being invited to walk the red carpet at this year’s Oscars in Hollywood.
FILE PHOTO: Tennis – WTA Premier 5 – Italian Open – Foro Italico, Rome, Italy – May 16, 2018 Spain’s Garbine Muguruza in action during her second round match against Australia’s Daria Gavrilova REUTERS/Tony Gentile
Fun as that was, however, the powerful Spaniard knows her real place next week will be fighting it out on the red dirt trying to add to her grand slam total.
The world number three has had an up-and-down year, but will arrive at Roland Garros as one of the main contenders.
Last year proved a chastening experience in Paris when, as defending champion, she lost to local favorite Kristina Mladenovic in front of a raucous, partisan crowd and broke down in tears afterwards during her news conference.
Some might say a night mixing it with the stars of the silver screen might be more preferable than facing a hostile crowd on a dusty clay court, especially as the 24-year-old is dabbling in fashion design and recently modeled a series of looks for fashion bible Vogue.
Muguruza is quick to knock that notion back.
“I was invited (to the Oscars) by Rolex and thought it was a great opportunity, a chance in a lifetime,” Muguruza, announced as a global brand ambassador for mineral water company Evian this week, told Reuters.
“I felt like a bit out of place, like, ‘what am I doing here?’ It’s all about superstars and I was there representing the world of sport. It was a good experience to witness all the Hollywood glam. But I’m in a different world of competition.
“I’m more of a warrior. I live in a different world.”
Venezuela-born Muguruza burst on to the scene in 2015 when she reached the Wimbledon final and lost to Serena Williams.
She avenged that defeat a year later in the French Open final and then beat Venus Williams to win Wimbledon last year. She rose to number one in the world in September.
This season she claimed the Monterrey title in April but her form on clay has been inconsistent, losing to Russian 21-year-old Daria Kasatkina at the Madrid Open before suffering a surprise defeat by Australian Daria Gavrilova in Rome.
Muguruza, however, says she has learned not to dwell on defeats and ‘overthink’ — traits that hampered her in the months after her stunning 2016 French Open triumph.
“I just think now that when the day comes I’ll be ready,” she said. “You get upset for five minutes and then you’re like, ‘okay, it’s time to do something. What can I do for next time?’”
One thing that has not changed is her ultra-aggressive style and it never will, as long as she is hungry for slams.
“I have never seen someone winning such an important title by not being super-aggressive,” Muguruza, who is back working full-time with coach Sam Sumyk after ending a spell with fellow Spaniard and former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez.
“You have to go and get it. You will never win a grand slam waiting for it. You have to have an aggressive game.
“Of course every player has their own style, some more spin, some more flat, but you need to be aggressive in women’s tennis.
“If you are not, you are out.”
After the French it will be on to the grasscourts and Wimbledon where Muguruza will try to defend the title.
“In Spain the French was the tournament but I love the history and elegance of Wimbledon,” she said.
Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Ian Ransom
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Tennis: From red carpet to red dirt, Muguruza the warrior
LONDON (Reuters) – Being the reigning Wimbledon champion and former French Open winner has its perks for Garbine Muguruza, like being invited to walk the red carpet at this year’s Oscars in Hollywood.
FILE PHOTO: Tennis – WTA Premier 5 – Italian Open – Foro Italico, Rome, Italy – May 16, 2018 Spain’s Garbine Muguruza in action during her second round match against Australia’s Daria Gavrilova REUTERS/Tony Gentile
Fun as that was, however, the powerful Spaniard knows her real place next week will be fighting it out on the red dirt trying to add to her grand slam total.
The world number three has had an up-and-down year, but will arrive at Roland Garros as one of the main contenders.
Last year proved a chastening experience in Paris when, as defending champion, she lost to local favorite Kristina Mladenovic in front of a raucous, partisan crowd and broke down in tears afterwards during her news conference.
Some might say a night mixing it with the stars of the silver screen might be more preferable than facing a hostile crowd on a dusty clay court, especially as the 24-year-old is dabbling in fashion design and recently modeled a series of looks for fashion bible Vogue.
Muguruza is quick to knock that notion back.
“I was invited (to the Oscars) by Rolex and thought it was a great opportunity, a chance in a lifetime,” Muguruza, announced as a global brand ambassador for mineral water company Evian this week, told Reuters.
“I felt like a bit out of place, like, ‘what am I doing here?’ It’s all about superstars and I was there representing the world of sport. It was a good experience to witness all the Hollywood glam. But I’m in a different world of competition.
“I’m more of a warrior. I live in a different world.”
Venezuela-born Muguruza burst on to the scene in 2015 when she reached the Wimbledon final and lost to Serena Williams.
She avenged that defeat a year later in the French Open final and then beat Venus Williams to win Wimbledon last year. She rose to number one in the world in September.
This season she claimed the Monterrey title in April but her form on clay has been inconsistent, losing to Russian 21-year-old Daria Kasatkina at the Madrid Open before suffering a surprise defeat by Australian Daria Gavrilova in Rome.
Muguruza, however, says she has learned not to dwell on defeats and ‘overthink’ — traits that hampered her in the months after her stunning 2016 French Open triumph.
“I just think now that when the day comes I’ll be ready,” she said. “You get upset for five minutes and then you’re like, ‘okay, it’s time to do something. What can I do for next time?’”
One thing that has not changed is her ultra-aggressive style and it never will, as long as she is hungry for slams.
“I have never seen someone winning such an important title by not being super-aggressive,” Muguruza, who is back working full-time with coach Sam Sumyk after ending a spell with fellow Spaniard and former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez.
“You have to go and get it. You will never win a grand slam waiting for it. You have to have an aggressive game.
“Of course every player has their own style, some more spin, some more flat, but you need to be aggressive in women’s tennis.
“If you are not, you are out.”
After the French it will be on to the grasscourts and Wimbledon where Muguruza will try to defend the title.
“In Spain the French was the tournament but I love the history and elegance of Wimbledon,” she said.
Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Ian Ransom
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Tennis: From red carpet to red dirt, Muguruza the warrior
LONDON (Reuters) – Being the reigning Wimbledon champion and former French Open winner has its perks for Garbine Muguruza, like being invited to walk the red carpet at this year’s Oscars in Hollywood.
FILE PHOTO: Tennis – WTA Premier 5 – Italian Open – Foro Italico, Rome, Italy – May 16, 2018 Spain’s Garbine Muguruza in action during her second round match against Australia’s Daria Gavrilova REUTERS/Tony Gentile
Fun as that was, however, the powerful Spaniard knows her real place next week will be fighting it out on the red dirt trying to add to her grand slam total.
The world number three has had an up-and-down year, but will arrive at Roland Garros as one of the main contenders.
Last year proved a chastening experience in Paris when, as defending champion, she lost to local favorite Kristina Mladenovic in front of a raucous, partisan crowd and broke down in tears afterwards during her news conference.
Some might say a night mixing it with the stars of the silver screen might be more preferable than facing a hostile crowd on a dusty clay court, especially as the 24-year-old is dabbling in fashion design and recently modeled a series of looks for fashion bible Vogue.
Muguruza is quick to knock that notion back.
“I was invited (to the Oscars) by Rolex and thought it was a great opportunity, a chance in a lifetime,” Muguruza, announced as a global brand ambassador for mineral water company Evian this week, told Reuters.
“I felt like a bit out of place, like, ‘what am I doing here?’ It’s all about superstars and I was there representing the world of sport. It was a good experience to witness all the Hollywood glam. But I’m in a different world of competition.
“I’m more of a warrior. I live in a different world.”
Venezuela-born Muguruza burst on to the scene in 2015 when she reached the Wimbledon final and lost to Serena Williams.
She avenged that defeat a year later in the French Open final and then beat Venus Williams to win Wimbledon last year. She rose to number one in the world in September.
This season she claimed the Monterrey title in April but her form on clay has been inconsistent, losing to Russian 21-year-old Daria Kasatkina at the Madrid Open before suffering a surprise defeat by Australian Daria Gavrilova in Rome.
Muguruza, however, says she has learned not to dwell on defeats and ‘overthink’ — traits that hampered her in the months after her stunning 2016 French Open triumph.
“I just think now that when the day comes I’ll be ready,” she said. “You get upset for five minutes and then you’re like, ‘okay, it’s time to do something. What can I do for next time?’”
One thing that has not changed is her ultra-aggressive style and it never will, as long as she is hungry for slams.
“I have never seen someone winning such an important title by not being super-aggressive,” Muguruza, who is back working full-time with coach Sam Sumyk after ending a spell with fellow Spaniard and former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez.
“You have to go and get it. You will never win a grand slam waiting for it. You have to have an aggressive game.
“Of course every player has their own style, some more spin, some more flat, but you need to be aggressive in women’s tennis.
“If you are not, you are out.”
After the French it will be on to the grasscourts and Wimbledon where Muguruza will try to defend the title.
“In Spain the French was the tournament but I love the history and elegance of Wimbledon,” she said.
Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Ian Ransom
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Fabio Fognini fires up Foro Italico crowd with win over Dominic Thiem
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Fognini fires up Italian Open crowd with win over Thiem
Fabio Fognini got the Foro Italico crowd fired up with a 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 win over sixth-seeded Dominic Thiem in the second round of the Italian Open.
from WFSB - Sports http://www.wfsb.com/story/38203120/fognini-fires-up-italian-open-crowd-with-win-over-thiem
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Nadal and Djokovic to renew rivalry in Italian Open semis
By ANDREW DAMPFAP Sports Writer ROME (AP) – Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will renew their rivalry in the Italian Open semifinals – and three-time Rome champion Maria Sharapova also reached the last four Friday. Nadal, who holds a record seven titles at the Foro Italico, overcame a poor first set and a partisan crowd […]
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Fabio Fognini fires up Foro Italico crowd with win over Dominic Thiem
Fabio Fognini fires up Foro Italico crowd with win over Dominic Thiem
By: AP | Published: May 16, 2018 9:53:04 pm
Italy’s top player came out wearing a black shirt with a red lightning bolt design down his chest and he was energized from the start. (Source: AP)
Fabio Fognini got the Foro Italico crowd fired up Wednesday with a 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 win over sixth-seeded Dominic Thiem in the second round of the Italian Open.
Italy’s top player came out wearing a black…
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Nadal sets up Djokovic semi-final in Rome, Zverev marches on
(Reuters) – Rafa Nadal rallied from a set down before easing past Fabio Fognini 4-6 6-1 6-2 in the Italian Open quarter-finals on Friday to set up a mouth-watering clash against long-time adversary Novak Djokovic for a place in Sunday’s final.
Tennis – ATP World Tour Masters 1000 – Italian Open – Foro Italico, Rome, Italy – May 18, 2018 Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning his quarter final match against Italy’s Fabio Fognini REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi
Djokovic plotted a similar path to the Spanish claycourt king when the Serb lost the first set against Japan’s Kei Nishikori before recovering to win 2-6 6-1 6-3 and seal an open-era record 51st career meeting against Nadal.
Nadal started strongly and raced into a 4-1 lead but Fognini refused to surrender in front of a partisan Rome crowd, clawing a break back before running away with the set.
The Italian’s joy was short-lived, however, as Nadal regrouped, charging around the court and putting his opponent under relentless pressure as he took the second set to level things up.
Fognini was then hampered by an injury to his left knee as Nadal continued to fire on all cylinders and the Spaniard duly wrapped up the match in two hours and 14 minutes.
Tennis – ATP World Tour Masters 1000 – Italian Open – Foro Italico, Rome, Italy – May 18, 2018 Italy’s Fabio Fognini reacts during his quarter final match against Spain’s Rafael Nadal REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi
“Having a break early in the second set definitely helped my confidence,” Nadal told reporters. “But then, I think, I played more aggressively with my forehand and when I play more aggressively with my forehand, then the backhand becomes better.
“I feel it is an important victory for me. There’s a lot of positive things out of the match today.”
Djokovic, who last met Nadal in the semi-finals of the 2017 Madrid Open, was on the back foot early against Nishikori as the Japanese baseliner capitalized on consecutive backhand errors to forge the first break.
Slideshow (2 Images)
Both players are still feeling their way back to full fitness after troublesome long-term injuries, but Djokovic showed more promise ahead of the upcoming French Open in his positive response to falling a set behind.
The Serb broke Nishikori three times to force a decider before edging a tight third set with some courageous shot-making.
“Today, the quality of tennis was really high,” Djokovic said. “Kei was playing fantastic, especially in the first set… and it took me little bit of time to adjust to his pace.
“It means a lot to me to be able to play the semi-finals of a tournament again. This is what I was looking forward to. It’s what I was hoping to achieve.”
Meanwhile, defending champion Alexander Zverev beat ninth seed David Goffin of Belgium 6-4 3-6 6-3 in the day’s final match to remain on course to defend his title after notching up a 12th consecutive victory.
The German, who is the form player on the ATP Tour, will battle Croatian Marin Cilic for a place in the final. Fourth seed Cilic pulled off a regulation 6-3 6-3 victory over Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta earlier in the day.
Reporting by Simon Jennings; Editing by John O’Brien
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Nadal sets up Djokovic semi-final in Rome, Zverev marches on
(Reuters) – Rafa Nadal rallied from a set down before easing past Fabio Fognini 4-6 6-1 6-2 in the Italian Open quarter-finals on Friday to set up a mouth-watering clash against long-time adversary Novak Djokovic for a place in Sunday’s final.
Tennis – ATP World Tour Masters 1000 – Italian Open – Foro Italico, Rome, Italy – May 18, 2018 Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning his quarter final match against Italy’s Fabio Fognini REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi
Djokovic plotted a similar path to the Spanish claycourt king when the Serb lost the first set against Japan’s Kei Nishikori before recovering to win 2-6 6-1 6-3 and seal an open-era record 51st career meeting against Nadal.
Nadal started strongly and raced into a 4-1 lead but Fognini refused to surrender in front of a partisan Rome crowd, clawing a break back before running away with the set.
The Italian’s joy was short-lived, however, as Nadal regrouped, charging around the court and putting his opponent under relentless pressure as he took the second set to level things up.
Fognini was then hampered by an injury to his left knee as Nadal continued to fire on all cylinders and the Spaniard duly wrapped up the match in two hours and 14 minutes.
Tennis – ATP World Tour Masters 1000 – Italian Open – Foro Italico, Rome, Italy – May 18, 2018 Italy’s Fabio Fognini reacts during his quarter final match against Spain’s Rafael Nadal REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi
“Having a break early in the second set definitely helped my confidence,” Nadal told reporters. “But then, I think, I played more aggressively with my forehand and when I play more aggressively with my forehand, then the backhand becomes better.
“I feel it is an important victory for me. There’s a lot of positive things out of the match today.”
Djokovic, who last met Nadal in the semi-finals of the 2017 Madrid Open, was on the back foot early against Nishikori as the Japanese baseliner capitalized on consecutive backhand errors to forge the first break.
Slideshow (2 Images)
Both players are still feeling their way back to full fitness after troublesome long-term injuries, but Djokovic showed more promise ahead of the upcoming French Open in his positive response to falling a set behind.
The Serb broke Nishikori three times to force a decider before edging a tight third set with some courageous shot-making.
“Today, the quality of tennis was really high,” Djokovic said. “Kei was playing fantastic, especially in the first set… and it took me little bit of time to adjust to his pace.
“It means a lot to me to be able to play the semi-finals of a tournament again. This is what I was looking forward to. It’s what I was hoping to achieve.”
Meanwhile, defending champion Alexander Zverev beat ninth seed David Goffin of Belgium 6-4 3-6 6-3 in the day’s final match to remain on course to defend his title after notching up a 12th consecutive victory.
The German, who is the form player on the ATP Tour, will battle Croatian Marin Cilic for a place in the final. Fourth seed Cilic pulled off a regulation 6-3 6-3 victory over Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta earlier in the day.
Reporting by Simon Jennings; Editing by John O’Brien
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