Internazionali BNL d'Italia: Garbine Muguruza sets Coco Gauff showdown in R2

Garbine Muguruza dropped just six games in her opening-round clash against Sloane Stephens at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia on Tuesday evening. The Spanish ninth seed won convincingly 6-3, 6-3 in an hour and 21 minutes, breaking her opponent four times.

Speaking to the press afterwards, Muguruza said, “It was a very tough first round. I think I played well and I had the right game plan today against her. You never know how it’s going to go because it’s been a while since I’ve played, and it’s my first match on clay, and the conditions were difficult. Despite all of that, I still managed to play at a high level and stay solid throughout the match.”

Muguruza’s next opponent is Coco Gauff. The American earlier won her first WTA main draw match on clay with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur. Talking about that match, Muguruza said, “It’s a good match, I’ve never played against her. I’m looking forward to playing as many matches as possible. She’s playing great and she’s having a big breakthrough, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Internazionali BNL d'Italia: Daria Kasatkina, Svetlana Kuznetsova advance

In the Russian derby between Daria Kasatkina and Vera Zvonareva, the former got the win over her patchy compatriot. Kasatkina notched a 6-2, 6-2 victory in one hour and 20 minutes. She was broken once in the match but broke Zvonareva’s serve five times across the match. Kasatkina won around 71% of her first-serve points to Zvonareva’s 54%.

Kasatkina will play Katerina Siniakova for a place in the pre-quarterfinals. Siniakova had earlier defeated Angelique Kerber in their opening-round match on Tuesday.

Another Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova was the last winner of Tuesday’s play in the Italian capital. The two-time former Major champion played a nervy and oft-momentum changing match against the United States’ Bernarda Pera. The former world no. 2 came from a set down to win 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-3 in two hours and 15 minutes.

The 35-year-old will take on Estonian 14th seed Anett Kontaveit for a place in the round-of-16 at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia. Kontaveit won her opener against Caroline Garcia.

Photo Credit: Internazionali BNL d'Italia Twitter

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