Eugene and Lucy look back at events in Rome where Coco Gauff made it to the semis and Serena Williams and Gael Monfils returned to action. Also preview Parma and Lyon
Rome round-up Coco Gauff, 17, made it to the semi-finals – her first at WTA 1000 level – after chalking off wins against Yulia Putintseva, Maria Sakkari, Aryna Sabalenka and Ash Barty (walkover) before losing to eventual champion, 19-year-old Iga Swiatek. Gauff is now inside the top 30 and looks set to be seeded at Roland Garros. Also reached the doubles quarter-finals with Veronika Kudermetova.
– Serena returned, lost to Nadia Podoroska in two tight sets (in match 1,000). Looked good considering she hadn’t played since Australia.
– Naomi Osaka – Laureus Sportswoman of the Year – lost to in-form Jessica Pegula. Osaka was 3-0 up in the first set and had set point opportunities. Needs more matches on clay.
– Madison Keys beat (LL) Sloane Stephens in three sets, then lost to Swiatek in straights in round two – was up a break in the first set.
– Felix Auger-Aliassime picked up a top-10 win en route to round three – beat Filip Krajiniovic in the first round and world No 10 Diego Schwartzman in round two before losing to Federico Delbonis.
– Gael Monfils lost in the opening round to Lorenzo Sonego in three close sets. La Monf addressed Sonego at end of the match in response to the Italian calling for the trainer at a time when the Frenchman had momentum.
*Frances Tiafoe retired from his final qualifying round match against Delbonis after rolling his ankle in the final set. Expecting to play Parma next week.
Parma (WTA 250) Serena, Venus, Gauff, Stephens and *Jasmine Paolini are all in.
[1] Serena vs. [Q] Lisa Pigato
Venus vs. [Q] Anna Karolina Schmiedlova
Stephens vs. [Q] Caty McNally
[3] Gauff vs. Kaia Kanepi
*Paolini fell to [5] Amanda Anisimova in straight sets on Sunday.
Lyon (ATP 250) Monfils, Auger-Aliassime (2019 finalist) and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (2017 winner) all feature.
[5] Monfils vs. Lloyd Harris
[7] Auger-Aliassime vs. Lorenzo Sonego
Tsonga vs. Tommy Paul
Other events taking place in Geneva (ATP 250), where Roger Federer makes a long-awaited return, and Belgrade (WTA 250).
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