Former World No. 1 Novak Djokovic showed signs of improvement last week in Madrid, beating Monte-Carlo runner-up Kei Nishikori in the first round in what was arguably the best win of his comeback from right elbow surgery that kept him out after Wimbledon last year. And while he lost his next match against eventual quarter-finalist Kyle Edmund, the Serbian will look to continue improving at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia, where he faces a familiar foe in his opener. The four-time champion will look to get another victory under his belt on Monday against talented Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov in the third match on Court Centrale. Djokovic is well-acquainted with the former World No. 13, who himself is recovering from an injury...
Rafael Nadal was keen to emphasise the importance of playing in the present as he discussed beginning his quest for a record eighth Internazionali BNL d’Italia title this week. The seven-time champion, who lost on clay last week in Madrid for the first time since 2017 Rome, is bidding to win his first title at the Foro Italico in five years. “Every tournament is very important in itself. And for me, even more. Because I have a great story at all these events. I won here seven times. And, for me, it's always very special to play here in this tournament,” said Nadal. The Spaniard enters Rome after his 21-match and 50-set winning streaks on clay were ended by Dominic...
Sometimes, it’s not easy to look on the bright side of a straight-sets defeat. But that is what Swiss Stan Wawrinka did after his opening-round loss against American Steve Johnson at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia on Sunday in his first match since February at Marseille. The 33-year-old says he only started practising fully 12 days ago, after all. “Disappointed with the result, that's for sure. Would have loved to win,” Wawrinka said. “[But] if I really look where I am right now, I'm really happy. I think, in general, my level is really high, it’s better than what I expected.... I'm happy with the level I have in practice. I'm happy with physically where I am right now. I feel...
Steve Johnson recorded his sixth win in seven matches on clay this season, defeating 2008 finalist Stan Wawrinka 6-4, 6-4 at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia. The Houston champion (d. Sandgren) took 81 minutes to overcome Wawrinka, winning 76 per cent of first-service points and converting both of his break-point chances to advance to the second round. Wawrinka was appearing on the ATP World Tour for the first time since retiring from his second-round match against Ilya Ivashka at the Open 13 Provence in February. "If I really look at where I am right now, I'm really happy," said Wawrinka. "I think, in general, my level is really high, it is better than what I expected. "[I started playing] tennis only...
