Google News ATP and WTA Rome: Nadal, Djokovic, Barty and Swiatek in the quarters!
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At the Italian Open 2021 women's singles, in Rome, Ashleigh Barty, number one in seeding, does not make any particular changes to the script at the foot of the quarter-finals. Little to do for Veronika Kudermetova, who collects three games per set.
In the lot of surprises on day-4 the misstep of Angelique Kerber against Jelena Ostapenko and above all that of Aryna Sabalenka against Cori Gauff. That for the fourteenth time this season she needs the third set to catch the success.
Iga Swiatek recovers a set of disadvantage and cancels two match points to Barbora Krejcikova, in the final part of the day, in the presumably most anticipated match, Elina Svitolina overcomes Garbine Muguruza with a dry 6-4 6-2.
The Roland Garros champion awaits the Ukrainian tennis player in the quarterfinals. Rafael Nadal qualified for the quarter-finals at the men's singles, in Rome after a crazy and incredible match won against Denis Shapovalov with the final score of 3-6 6-4 7-6 (3), after almost three hours and thirty of game.
Alexander Zverev will once again be waiting for him in the quarter-finals. In the third set, the tie break proves to be the inevitable solution. Shapovalov shows up with a first winner, but basically gives the next four points.
With a double fault and above all a gross error in the setting phase. Nadal (forward 4-1) leaves one of the two mini-breaks on the road, but restores the advantage with the straight serve scheme and widens it with an arm wrestling on the right diagonal.
The second match point, at the threshold of three and a half hours of play, turns out to be the good one. Novak Djokovic had no problem defeating Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-2 6-1, and in the quarter-finals he will meet Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Lorenzo Sonego defeated Dominic Thiem on the Grandstand and at the threshold of three and a half hours of play he wins with a surreal score of 6-4 6-7 (4) 7-6 (5). Alexander Zverev, Madrid champion needs a great match to break down Kei Nishikori's resistance.
Roger Federer thinks the return to normality is close
Roger Federer is ready to return to the field in the ATP 250 in Geneva, which kicks off on 16 May 2021. The Swiss phenomenon had already made himself the author of a brief interlude in Doha a couple of months ago, where he had spent a round defeating Dan Evans in three sets.
The former world number 1, still far behind in terms of physical condition, was then forced to surrender by future tournament winner Nikoloz Basilashvili (also wasting a match point in the decisive stage). The 20-time Grand Slam champion had already anticipated his intention to play some events on clay to put games in his legs ahead of his big goals in 2021, namely Wimbledon and the Tokyo Olympics.
The road to the ascent promises to be full of obstacles for King Roger who - in addition to having to face the usual Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic - will also have to deal with the main exponents of the Next Gen. In a recent interview for his sponsor UNIQLO, the 39-year-old from Basel talked in detail about his recovery from a double surgery on his right knee.
"2021 will be an exciting year because the return to normal is getting closer, even if of course the virus makes everything much more complicated. I'm looking forward to playing a few games again," said Federer, who has taken on the new role of tourism ambassador for his country.
In Geneva, Roger will have to contend with rivals of the caliber of Denis Shapovalov, Fabio Fognini, Cristian Garin and many others. "I have become a more balanced and consistent player than at the beginning of my career. Over time, I have also been able to make some changes to my play style.
In addition, my fitness and the technology of my rackets allow me to play better now than when I was 20," continued the eight-time Wimbledon champion. After Geneva, Roger will fly to Paris for Roland Garros.
