On Wednesday, Rafael Nadal advanced to the last 16 of the Italian Open with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over John Isner, while Alexander Zverev defeated Sebastian Baez. As he seeks the 11th championship in Rome, Nadal did quick work of Isner, beating the American in one hour and 17 minutes at the Foro Italico.
Nadal, who lost in the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open to countryman Carlos Alcaraz, may take advantage of the in-form teenager’s absence in the Italian city to win the penultimate important clay tournament before the French Open later this month.
The 35-year-old had been sidelined for six weeks due to a rib injury before returning to the Spanish capital last week, but Isner faced minimal opposition by the 21-time Grand Slam champion.
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“I need to rebuild things after a difficult halt,” Nadal said courtside. “That’s what I’m attempting, just to remain with the proper mentality and see if I can make that happen.”
Nadal broke experienced world number 27 Isner in-game eight before serving out to capture the first set, swinging the match in his favor.
Nadal cruised to win, losing just 14 points en route to a third-round match against Denis Shapovalov.
“I need to play better than I did today,” Nadal said, “but it’s another win and another opportunity to play against one of the top players in the world tomorrow.”
Earlier, Zverev defeated Baez in straight sets, 7-6 (8/6), 6-3, in over an hour and a half.
Tommy Paul or Alex de Minaur will meet second seed Zverev, who Alcaraz defeated in the Madrid final.
The German world number three Zverev seized a 3-1 lead after a grueling opening set that went with the service until the fourth tie-break point.
Baez battled back to 6-6, but Zverez broke the Argentine before serving out the set and ensuring his place in the third round in a less difficult second set.
Former champion Karolina Pliskova knock out of the women’s competition after losing 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 against Jil Tiechmann of Switzerland.
Pliskova had reached the finals in Rome three times before winning the championship in 2019, but 24-year-old Tiechmann defeated her in a two-hour and 40-minute fight.
With a 6-2, 6-0 triumph over Shuai Zhang, third seed Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the next round, while Coco Gauff advanced to the last 16 after defeating fellow American Madison Brengle 6-2, 6-4.
