Two highest-ranked seeds lost their opening-round matches at the Rome Open on Thursday, in the evening. Sofia Kenin took out second seed and world no. 2 Aryna Sabalenka while Taylor Townsend wrapped up a win over third seed and world no.
3, Jessica Pegula. In a face-off of two Australian Open champions, the 2020 titlist defeated the 2023 champion, 7-6(4), 6-2 after an hour and 38 minutes of play. The opening set saw a couple of exchange of breaks but Kenin came out stronger in the second, spurred by the momentum of having won the first.
Kenin won 73% of her first-serve points to Sabalenka’s 70% and 45% of her second-serve points. She also won 69% points on return on the latter’s serve. All-in-all, this was a disappointing turnaround for Sabalenka who won the Mutua Madrid Open last week, right before going into Roland Garros.
Meanwhile, in the third round, the 134th ranked Kenin will play 30th seed Anhelina Kalinina.
Rome Open: Taylor Townsend tailors an upset
The American derby between Townsend and Pegula saw the latter pull off a 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 win after an hour and 55 minutes of play.
In her first-round match on Wednesday, against Ysaline Bonaventure, Townsend had to mount a comeback. However, against Pegula although Townsend fell behind an early break in the opening…
