Raducanu and Norrie Shine in Rome Open

Emma Raducanu and Cameron Norrie kicked off their campaigns at the Italian Open with impressive victories, while Katie Boulter faced an early exit in Rome. Raducanu, making her first appearance at the tournament after a three-year hiatus, showcased her resilience with a hard-fought win over Maya Joint of Australia, securing a 7-5, 6-7 (1-7), 6-3 victory. The British number two praised the high level of the match and expressed pride in her performance.

Cameron Norrie also had a strong start, defeating Christopher O'Connell with a comfortable 6-3, 6-2 win. Norrie's victory sets up a challenging second-round match against world number 11 Daniil Medvedev, a player he has yet to defeat in their previous encounters.

Boulter's Struggles Continue

Meanwhile, Katie Boulter struggled to find her rhythm against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia, losing 3-6, 3-6. Despite her recent success on clay in Madrid, Boulter was unable to replicate that form in Rome, exiting the tournament in the first round.

Raducanu's Mental Fortitude

Raducanu's match was a testament to her mental strength. After losing the second set in a tie-break, she regrouped in the deciding set, racing to a 5-0 lead before eventually closing out the match. She revealed that during a bathroom break, the thought of losing the match fueled her motivation for the final set.

Norrie's Redemption

Norrie, who had a disappointing performance in the qualifying round, channeled his frustration into a dominant performance against O'Connell. He expressed satisfaction with his sharpness and physicality during the match.

Looking Ahead

Raducanu will face Ekaterina Alexandrova in the next round, while Norrie prepares for his showdown with Medvedev. Both players will look to build on their strong starts as the Italian Open progresses.