Battle on clay heats up
> Nadal, Thiem could set up Rome rematch
RAFAEL NADAL could get revenge on Dominic Thiem this week as they are both in the same half of the draw for the Italian Open, which begins today in Rome.
The 24-year-old Austrian ended a record-breaking streak for Nadal at the quarterfinal stage in Madrid last week as the Spaniard claimed 50 consecutive sets on clay before succumbing to a 7-5, 6-3 defeat.
Nadal had not dropped a set on clay since losing to Thiem in the Italian Open quarterfinals last year and went on to build a 21-match unbeaten streak on the surface. Nadal says he has found a tough adversary.
“Dominic has a lot of potential,” said Nadal, who lost his world No. 1 status after his Madrid defeat.
“Whenever he plays really well, it is difficult to stop him.”
Thiem and Nadal will start in the second round in Rome where Nadal could meet compatriot Fernando Verdasco, while Thiem awaits the winner of Gael Monfils and Fabio Fognini.
Juan Martin Del Potro and Germany’s defending Italian Open champion Alexander Zverev also start in the second round after byes but an out-of-form Novak Djokovic, seeded No. 11, begins in the first round against Ukraine’s Alexandr Dolgopolov.
Roger Federer, who will take over as world No. 1 when the rankings are announced today, is skipping the clay season.
In the women’s event, Serena Williams will not be present in Rome as the 23-times grand slam winner has withdrawn for the second consecutive week after opting out of Madrid.
Williams is a four-times champion at the Italian Open but has not played a match on clay since the 2016 French Open.
Her latest withdrawal puts in doubt her return to grand slam action at Roland Garros in late May after giving birth in September.
World No. 1 Simona Halep awaits the winner of Victoria Azarenka and BNP Paribas Open champion Naomi Osaka in the second round after being handed a bye.
The Romanian is in the same half of the draw as Garbine Muguruza and last year’s French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko.
US Open champion Sloane Stephens will begin her campaign in Rome against Czech Republic’s Barbora Strycova while her compatriot Petra Kvitova will do battle with Britain’s Johanna Konta in the first round.
Maria Sharapova returns to face Australia’s Ashleigh Barty hoping to go further than the quarterfinals after being knocked out of the last eight in Madrid.
“I see a lot of things I should be better at, I should improve at,” said Sharapova.
“I think it’s a combination of, yes, taking the positives, but also being a little tough on yourself and expecting a little bit more from yourself. That’s the only way to improve.
“You can’t keep giving yourself a pat on the back.” – dpa
“This is the earliest I’ve finished all week,” joked Zverev. “Now I don’t know how to do for the next four hours.”