Internazionali BNL D’Italia, Rome
[2] Roger Federer (SUI) vs. [15] Dominic Thiem (AUT)
It was not an easy victory despite the fact that Federer was clearly hampered by his back injury. Thiem still had to control the emotions of playing against Federer and execute his shots to win. There were a few more errors off the Federer racquet but it was quite obvious they were a result of him not trusting his back to support his movement. He gave a valiant effort but the match was over the minute he lost the first set. Thiem won 7-6(2), 6-4 and moves on to the quarterfinals to meet Kei Nishikori.
WILLIAMS FIGHTS THROUGH THE RUST TO VICTORY
[1] Serena Williams (USA) vs. [56] Christina McHale (USA)
It is always a bit difficult to watch two Americans compete against each other because I stupidly want both to win. It is a tough task to play against Williams, even when she is not at her best. McHale has been playing so well lately and it’s a shame that she was on the same side of the draw as Williams. Williams got off to a slow start, which is becoming her trademark; however, once she got the first set under her belt, the second set showcased the quality tennis we have gotten used to from Williams when she is focused. Williams won 7-6(7), 6-1 and will play Svetlana Kuznetsova who beat her recently in Miami, a tournament that Williams has dominated. Eight of their eleven matches have been battles so Williams will have to bring her “A” game if she wants to advance to the quarterfinals.
MUGURUZA GETS OUT OF HER FUNK IN TIME
[4] Garbine Muguruza (ESP) vs. [39] Jelena Ostapenko (LAT)
Muguruza came out on fire, hitting winners from every part of the court. Ostapenko could not handle the ferocious attack and was frequently caught off guard by the pace . She is still a teenager and it showed especially as she constantly looked to her box for answers after each lost point. Although it appeared that she had taken control of the second set when Muguruza mentally checked out of the match, Muguruza flipped a switch just in time to avoid a third set. She won 6-1, 6-4 and will play Timea Bacsinszky in the next round.
