Daniil Medvedev advanced in the Rome title defense with a hard-fought 7-6 (7/5), 2-6, 7-5 victory over qualifier Hamad Medjedovic. Despite the challenging match, Medvedev now faces Tommy Paul in the last 16, aiming to secure his first tournament win of the year.
The absence of top-ranked players has left the men’s tournament wide open, with Medvedev seizing the opportunity to progress. However, the road to victory has been tough, as demonstrated by his grueling three-hour battle against Next Gen champion Medjedovic. Despite not playing his best, Medvedev expressed determination to find his top form for the upcoming matches.
The tournament also saw surprises, with recent Madrid champion Andrey Rublev suffering a shock defeat to French qualifier Alexandre Muller. Meanwhile, Stefanos Tsitsipas, the sixth seed and reigning Monte Carlo champion, remains in contention, although he voiced concerns about the toll of the demanding schedule on top players.
In the women’s event, Aryna Sabalenka secured a hard-fought victory over Elina Svitolina, setting up a quarter-final clash with Jelena Ostapenko. Sabalenka’s win comes amidst ongoing tensions following their previous row at the 2023 French Open, with Svitolina again refusing to shake hands after the match.
World number one Iga Swiatek continued her dominant run, defeating Angelique Kerber in straight sets. Swiatek, a favorite for a third Rome crown, remains focused as she prepares for her French Open title defense later this month. She will face Madison Keys in the quarter-finals, whose match against Sorana Cirstea was briefly interrupted by climate activists.
