Rome Masters Daily Recap: Drama, Upsets, and Comebacks on the Clay
The Eternal City witnessed a thrilling day of clay-court action as the Rome Masters served up high drama, unexpected exits, and gritty battles on both the ATP and WTA sides.
ATP Tour Highlights
🇦🇺 Alex de Minaur Battles Through
Australia’s Alex de Minaur showcased his resilience in a seesaw match against the towering Bolivian Hugo Dellien. After dropping the first set 2-6, De Minaur roared back to take the next two sets 6-0, 6-2, sealing a confident comeback win.
🇺🇸 Tommy Paul Survives Scare
Tommy Paul edged out Tomáš Macháč in a tight three-set thriller. After a strong start, Paul was pushed to the brink in the second set tiebreak but held his nerve to win 6-1, 6-7(4), 6-4.
🇦🇷 Cerúndolo Dominates
Argentina’s Francisco Cerúndolo put on a clay-court clinic, dismantling Sebastian Ofner 6-2, 6-4 in a straight-set victory that sends a warning to the rest of the draw.
🇮🇹 Local Hero Sinner Rolls On
Italy’s top hope Jannik Sinner gave his home fans something to cheer for with a commanding 6-2, 6-2 win over Jesper de Jong. Sinner looked in full control from start to finish.
🇳🇴 Ruud Advances as Berrettini Retires
A potentially explosive matchup ended prematurely as Matteo Berrettini was forced to retire against Casper Ruud. The Norwegian had taken the first set 7-5 and was leading 2-0 in the second before the Italian called it quits.
WTA Tour Highlights
🇺🇸 Stearns Stuns Osaka in Epic Battle
In perhaps the biggest shock of the day, Peyton Stearns outlasted former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka in a gripping 3-set encounter: 2-6, 6-3, 7-6(7). Osaka fought valiantly but came up just short in a tense final set tiebreak.
🇺🇸 Gauff Makes Statement
Coco Gauff continued her strong clay-court form, steamrolling past Emma Raducanu 6-2, 6-1 in a dominant performance that lasted just over an hour.
🇧🇾 Sabalenka Overcomes Kostyuk in Tiebreak Duel
World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka was pushed to the limit by Marta Kostyuk but prevailed 6-2, 7-6(10) in an intense contest featuring heavy hitting and emotional swings.
🇨🇿 Andreeva Sisters Split Fortunes
Mirra Andreeva impressed once again with a 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 win over Clara Tauson, while older sister Erika Andreeva was outclassed by Qinwen Zheng, who triumphed 6-0, 5-7, 6-1.