Swiatek expeditious
Iga Swiatek didn’t have a minute to lose. The world No. 1 corrected Bernarda Pera (6-0, 6-2) in a little over an hour on Thursday evening. In the next round, the winner of the Roman tournament in 2021 and 2022 will challenge Yulia Putintseva who surprised Sloane Stephens earlier in the evening.
Gauff as boss
For her first steps on Italian ocher, Coco Gauff won a comfortable victory in two sets against Magdalena Frech (6-3, 6-3). Despite a high number of double faults (8 against 1 for her Polish opponent) and a break conceded from the start, the world No. 3 quickly took control of the game to triumph in 1 hour and 25 minutes. Qualified for the 3rd round, the 20-year-old American will face lucky loser Jaqueline Cristian, who defeated Frenchwoman Varvara Gracheva in qualifying.
A little more trouble for Keys
Unlike Gauff, whom she dominated in the round of 16 of the Madrid tournament, Madison Keys required an additional set to overcome Camila Osorio. The American had started the game in the best possible way by inflicting a scathing 6-0 on the Colombian, but the latter worked to snatch a third act. Keys finally had the last word (6-0, 4-6, 6-3) and will compete with Beatriz Haddad Maia for a place in the round of 16 on Sunday.
Stephens, the unpleasant surprise
Sloane Stephens is already out the door. The No. 31 seed was soundly beaten by Yulia Putintseva (6-3, 6-2). 27th in the world in 2017 before experiencing a slump, the Kazakh confirmed her recovery by winning her second match at the Foro Italico.
