Medvedev’s Round of 16 loss in Rome came as a surprise. While his opponent played well, the match was marked by tension between Medvedev and the Italian crowd, an episode that may have disrupted the former world No. 1’s focus.

Now shifting gears for the second Grand Slam of the year, Medvedev is aiming to boost his chances at Roland Garros by taking an unexpected step: entering the doubles draw.

The move marks his return to doubles at the French Open after an eight-year absence. Organizers confirmed that Medvedev has entered the men’s doubles preliminary entry list alongside Brazil’s Marcelo Demoliner, potentially signaling a new strategy to sharpen his all-around game ahead of the singles competition.

Medvedev’s doubles appearances

With the possibility of playing doubles again at this year’s French Open, Medvedev appears eager to prove he still has what it takes. Falling out of the ATP’s top 10 may be one reason behind his decision to return to doubles, potentially as a way to refine aspects of his movement and overall game.

Medvedev has only played doubles twice at a Grand Slam, both in 2017. He made his debut at Roland Garros alongside James Cerretani, falling in the first round. Later that year, he reached the second round of the US Open with partner Mikhail Elgin before being eliminated.

Knowing that clay is not his strongest surface, the Russian star may be turning to doubles as a way to sharpen his skills during the clay-court season. With a slow start to the year, Medvedev is looking to prove he’s far from finished, and this could be a strategic step forward, after the Italian Open early exit.

Medvedev’s 2025 stats

So far in 2025, Medvedev has not reached the final of any Masters 1000 or Grand Slam event, highlighting the inconsistency that has plagued his season. His lone semifinal appearance stands in contrast to a disappointing early exit in the Round of 64 at the Australian Open.

His overall numbers also fall short of expectations. Through 28 matches, Medvedev has suffered 10 losses and has yet to claim a title, his last tournament win came in 2023. Statistically, he’s recorded 172 aces, 99 double faults, and converted just 40% of his break point opportunities.

With this statement win, Alcaraz solidified his place among the sport’s elite. He didn’t just talk about being the best, he proved it on the court, showcasing his prime form and relentless drive to etch his name into tennis history. Taking down the top-ranked player in the world on one of the sport’s most iconic clay courts is a defining moment in his young career.

His dominant two-set performance in the final is more than just another title, it represents a generational shift. Twenty years after Nadal’s first triumph at the Italian Open, Alcaraz now steps into the spotlight, raising the bar for Spanish tennis on clay.

This marks Alcaraz’s first career title in Rome, echoing the early success of Nadal during his professional rise. More importantly, it could signal the dawn of a new era in Spanish tennis, with Alcaraz carving his own path while honoring the legacy of one of the game’s all-time greats.

Alcaraz snaps Sinner’s streak

Carlos Alcaraz didn’t just win the Italian Open, he shattered some of Sinner’s most impressive records along the way. The Spaniard delivered one of the most dominant performances of his career, leaving the world No. 1 with no answers in a straight-sets defeat.

With the win, Alcaraz became the first player to beat Sinner in straight sets since Novak Djokovic at the 2023 ATP Finals. He also ended the Italian’s remarkable streak of 94 consecutive matches without a straight-sets loss. On clay, it was the first time Sinner had been beaten in straight sets since Stefanos Tsitsipas did it in 2022.

These milestones underscore the significance of Alcaraz’s performance. The 21-year-old isn’t just chasing titles, he’s chasing history, with Roland Garros looming.

Alcaraz reaches career milestones with Italian Open title

The Rome title added another chapter to Alcaraz’s already historic rise. He now ties Sinner for the most ATP titles (19) among players born in the 2000s. It also marked his seventh ATP Masters 1000 trophy, with his only loss in a final coming in Cincinnati 2023. That total ties him with Michael Chang and Alexander Zverev for the eighth-most Masters titles all-time.

Alcaraz also continues to excel on clay. He became the first player since Rafael Nadal to win multiple clay-court Masters in a single season. Additionally, he joined an exclusive group, just the fifth man in history, to win titles in Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome. Since May 2024, he holds an impressive 27–2 record on the surface.

With an impressive performance, Paolini claimed a straight-sets victory over Stearns, proving she won’t be an easy obstacle for any remaining contender. This wasn’t the first time in the tournament that Paolini demonstrated her resilience and skill, she has consistently delivered strong showings throughout the event.

The outlook is promising for the Italian, who not only has the home crowd behind her but is also riding a wave of confidence. With her win, Paolini matches a feat last accomplished by fellow Italian and former world No. 1 in doubles, Sara Errani, who reached the final of the Italian Open in 2014.

Now, Paolini becomes the first Italian woman in 11 years to reach the final in Rome. Back in 2014, Errani’s run ended with a loss to Serena Williams, then the world No. 1 in singles. This time, the fans will be hoping for a different outcome as Paolini takes the court in Saturday’s championship match.

Paolini’s path to the Italian Open final

Paolini has emerged as the breakout star of the tournament. The Italian kicked off her campaign with a straight-sets victory over Lulu Sun in the opening round. She followed that up with another impressive performance, defeating world No. 27 Ons Jabeur in two sets. Paolini then delivered one of the tournament’s most remarkable displays to continue her run.

In the Round of 16, Paolini took down world No. 17 Jelena Ostapenko in straight sets, solidifying her momentum on home soil. Her quarterfinal clash with Diana Shnaider proved her resilience. After dropping the first set and falling behind 4-0 in the second, Paolini mounted a thrilling comeback to win 6-7 (1), 6-4, 6-2 and secure a spot in the semifinals.

Paolini eyes historic run in singles and doubles

In addition to her singles success, Paolini is aiming to reach the final in doubles as well. Teaming up with fellow Italian Errani, the duo is looking to make a deep run in front of the home crowd.

They will face the pairing of Mirra Andreeva and Shnaider, the same opponent Paolini defeated in the singles quarterfinal, in the doubles semifinals. Should she reach both finals, Paolini would join a select group of players in the WTA to achieve that feat in Italian Open history.

Now set to face Madrid Open champion Casper Ruud, Sinner looks in top form despite the extended absence. His return has been nothing short of remarkable, and with another title in sight, the 23-year-old appears more motivated than ever to continue his dominant run on the ATP Tour.

With his win over Francisco Cerundolo, Sinner surpassed Juan Martin del Potro’s record as world No. 1 and matched Borg’s astonishing mark of 50 wins in his first 53 matches while holding the top spot. Notably, Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic never achieved that level of efficiency at No. 1.

Sinner is now right on the heels of the “Big Three” in terms of victories as world No. 1. Federer notched 50 wins in 54 matches at the top, while Nadal needed 56 to reach the same milestone.

Sinner reflects on return after three-month absence

After reaching a key milestone in his career and drawing comparisons to legends like Borg, Jannik Sinner shared his thoughts ahead of a highly anticipated match against Ruud. The Italian star discussed his return to the ATP Tour following a three-month layoff due to a doping suspension.

“I’m happy to be back after three months out,” Sinner said before his quarterfinal matchup at the Italian Open. “In every situation, I feel fortunate and lucky. Let’s see what happens, whatever comes, comes.”

Sinner also spoke about his current form and overall performance since returning to the tour. “I’m very happy because today I felt I raised my level,” he added. “Game-wise, I felt a little bit better, which makes me very glad.”

Sinner aiming for first Italian Open title

Returning to competition on home soil could prove meaningful for Sinner as he advances to the later stages of the tournament. Despite his success on the ATP circuit, the Italian has yet to win a title in his home country. This year, with strong momentum and crowd support, he may finally have the opportunity to lift the trophy in Rome.

His first major test will be against Ruud, who enters the match in excellent form after winning the Madrid Open. Should Sinner move past him, he would face one of the breakout stars of the tournament: American Tommy Paul.

On one hand, Gauff cruised past Mirra Andreeva in singles, winning in straight sets. The American displayed solid control throughout the match, maintaining her unbeaten record against the young Russian, who is still seeking her first victory over Gauff.

However, in doubles, Gauff and her new partner Alexandra Eala were eliminated in the quarterfinals by the Italian duo of Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani. The match extended to three hard-fought sets, but the American-Filipina pair ultimately fell short in their pursuit of the doubles crown in Rome.

As a result, Gauff missed the rare opportunity to join the select group of players who have captured both the singles and doubles titles at the Italian Open. It remains unclear whether any WTA player has previously achieved this feat in tournament history.

Gauff’s impressive 2025 season

Despite a recent loss in doubles, Gauff continues to shine on the WTA Tour with a standout 2025 season in singles. The 20-year-old has already captured one singles title, compiled a 19–7 win-loss record, and reached the quarterfinals in four of the nine tournaments she’s played, including the Australian Open earlier this year.

Gauff has also delivered strong numbers on serve, recording 93 aces in 26 matches. She has won 73.6% of her service games and 72.6% of points on her first serve. As a result of her continued success, Gauff is set to rise to World No. 2 following the conclusion of the Italian Open, where she has already advanced to the semifinals. Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek have both been eliminated from the tournament.

Gauff to face Zheng in Italian Open semifinals

Gauff is now just two wins away from capturing the Italian Open title. Her next challenge will be World No. 7 Qinwen Zheng of China, who upset Sabalenka in straight sets on Wednesday.

This semifinal presents a promising opportunity for Gauff, who holds a 2–0 head-to-head record against Zheng. Their most recent meeting came at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, where Gauff prevailed in a hard-fought three-set match to claim the title.

Jannik Sinner continues his remarkable run following his return from a doping suspension. The 2025 Australian Open champion defeated Francisco Cerundolo in the Round of 16 at the Rome Open, pushing his win streak to 24 straight matches. That mark puts him ahead of former US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro.

Since 2000, only six players have managed a streak of 23 consecutive wins or more. Del Potro reached that milestone back in 2008 when he won titles in Kitzbuhel, Los Angeles, and Washington before falling to Murray at the US Open.

With his latest victory, Sinner now ranks fifth on the list of longest win streaks since 2000, according to ESPN. The next big name ahead of him is Andy Murray, who achieved a 28-match winning streak. Rafael Nadal (32), Roger Federer (41), and Novak Djokovic (43) follow on the list.

Djokovic, who holds the modern era record, put together his 43-match streak between 2010 and 2011. During that dominant run, he captured titles at the Davis Cup, Australian Open, Dubai, Indian Wells, Miami, Belgrade, Madrid, and Rome, before Federer ended the streak in the French Open semifinals.

Sinner and Musetti make Italian history

Despite Matteo Berrettini’s latest injury while facing Casper Ruud, Italian tennis is well represented in Rome. Apart from Sinner’s victory, Lorenzo Musetti, who defeated Daniil Medvedev, also reached the quarter finals. It marks the first time that two Italians have reached the quarter-finals in Rome since 1984 (C. Panatta, Cancellotti).

“I still have to do many things to recover in the best possible way, but I need this,” said Sinner when asked of his recovery ahead of the quarter-finals. “I’m happy to be back [after] three months out, so with every situation I’m very fortunate and lucky. Let’s see, whatever comes out, comes out.”

Sinner, who improved to 3-2 in his ATP Head2Head series with Cerundolo, will next face Madrid champion Casper Ruud or Jaume Munar, who play their Round of 16 match on Wednesday at 8 AM (ET).

Since teaming up, following a surprise request from Eala to Gauff to partner for the tournament, the duo has enjoyed strong chemistry on and off the court. They’ve won three matches together and appear to be thriving, as shown in a recent video posted on the WTA’s official social media channels.

With their focus now on the quarterfinals, Gauff and Eala addressed fans in the clip, referring to themselves as “Team Coachella.” Eala said, “Thank you so much for all the support that you’ve been giving us this week, and hopefully, a lot of people will come out to watch our next match.”

Gauff chimed in with a playful clarification: “Thank you guys for all the support. Super happy to be playing with Alex. I hope you guys keep supporting us, but we don’t like being called ‘Team Coachella,’ so please change it.” Eala added with a smile: “Yeah, please, another name.”

Eala and Gauff set to compete in doubles quarterfinals

Focused on the challenge ahead, Gauff and Eala have developed strong chemistry as a doubles team. Gauff brings experience and accolades to the partnership, having won a Grand Slam doubles title at Roland Garros and reaching the world No. 1 ranking in 2022. Eala, meanwhile, is a rising WTA prospect with significant potential to showcase her talent on the big stage.

If this partnership continues to flourish, Gauff could see a return to the top of the doubles rankings, she currently sits at No. 22. For Eala, this run presents an opportunity to elevate her status and prove she has the tools to succeed at the highest level, especially considering her youth and rapid development.

Gauff also advances to singles quarterfinals at Italian Open

Following Tuesday’s doubles win, Gauff is also preparing for her singles quarterfinal match at the Italian Open. The American will face world No. 7 Mirra Andreeva in what promises to be a high-intensity showdown.

Statistically, Gauff holds the edge in this matchup. She leads the head-to-head series 3–0 against Andreeva. However, surprises are always possible, Jasmine Paolini provided a recent example by rallying from a set and a 4–0 deficit in the second to defeat Diana Shnaider in her quarterfinal match.

Gauff now faces a tough challenge in Emma Raducanu as she looks to move further in the tournament. But her success isn’t limited to singles, she’s also making headlines in doubles, where she’s teamed up with rising Filipino star Alexandra Eala.

Although Eala fell in the first round of the singles competition, she’s making the most of her time in Rome by joining forces with Gauff. Together, they await their next opponent in the doubles Round of 16. That means Gauff is competing in the Round of 16 in both disciplines.

Interestingly, Gauff revealed that the partnership with Eala came about in an unconventional way. Speaking to the media, she shared that Eala reached out to her via Instagram to suggest the doubles pairing.

“She slid in my DMs and asked me to play. I was like, ‘Sure, why not?'” Gauff told reporters in the mixed zone after advancing in both singles and doubles at Italian Open last week.

Gauff and Eala team up at the Italian Open

It was a tough singles outing for Alex Eala at the Italian Open, as she struggled to showcase her full potential against Marta Kostyuk. After the match, Kostyuk offered Eala some unexpected advice. But Eala is now shifting her focus to doubles, where she’s teaming up with Coco Gauff in Rome.

Gauff and Eala opened their doubles campaign with a convincing 6–3, 6–1 victory over Alexandra Panova and Fanny Stollar in the Round of 32. Their next challenge comes on Tuesday, when they face the Italian duo of Tyra Grant and Lisa Pigato.

Eala looks to shine in doubles

After an early exit in singles, Eala is aiming to make a deep run in doubles alongside Gauff, as she chases her first WTA career title in the discipline (she already won 3 ITF titles). She currently holds a 39–34 career record in doubles and sits at No. 456 in the WTA doubles rankings.

The Italian Open is the last Masters 1000 ahead of Roland Garros, and it has been one of the most interesting tournaments of the season. Local star and World No. 9 Lorenzo Musetti reached the Round of 16 after beating Brandon Nakashima in straight sets, and now faces a tough test against World No. 11 Daniil Medvedev.

“I never played against him on clay. First meeting on this surface. He’s liking the conditions here this year,” Musetti said of the Russian. “It’s gonna be a match for the crowd. For the show. Coming into this match with a great attitude and great tennis.”

Medvedev, who is a former US Open champion, won the Italian Open in 2023, his best result on clay. However, he passed through Alexei Popyrin in straight sets to reach the Round of 16 in Rome. “I think I have a good chance. Daniil is always a tough opponent to play,” Musetti said.

The Italian is enjoying a strong run on clay, having reached the semi-finals in Madrid and the final in Monte Carlo, where he was defeated by Alcaraz. Now 23, Musetti is aiming to claim his third career title in Rome.

Meanwhile, Medvedev and Musetti have faced each other on two occasions, with the Russian emerging victorious both times. Those encounters took place on hard courts and in 2023, at the Cincinnati Open and the Canada Open.

Musetti joins Berrettini and Sinner in a select club

Lorenzo Musetti secured his 150th tour-level victory with a win over Brandon Nakashima, becoming one of only a few Italians to reach that milestone. The achievement places him in elite company and underscores his growing consistency on the ATP Tour.

Only two active Italian players have more career wins than Musetti: Matteo Berrettini and Jannik Sinner, who recently returned to action at the Italian Open. With this latest result, Musetti moves ahead of former players Omar Camporese and Andrea Gaudenzi, the latter now serving as ATP chairman.

In that sense, Federer has an unfortunate record in the Italian Open. He is the player with the most wins in the tournament without having won the title. During his career, he recorded 31 wins across 17 appearances.

The Swiss Maestro reached the final of the event four times, but lost them all. His first final was in 2003, when he was defeated by Felix Mantilla. Then, Nadal beat him in 2006, in an epic five-setter final, and 2013, and Novak Djokovic took the title in 2015.

Federer, who retired in 2022, is also the third man with most wins in general, only behind Djokovic and Nadal. The Serbian star has recorded 68 wins so far, winning the title six times (2008, 2011, 2014-15, 2020, and 2022), while Nadal won the tournament a record-breaking ten times.

Federer and Nadal’s epic 2006 final

Nadal had won four of his first five matches against Federer, including all three on clay, heading into the 2006 Rome final. The Swiss was still trying to figure out how to win the Spaniard on clay, and he went with a more attacking approach.

Federer played aggressively, winning 64 of 84 net points and taking control with his forehand. He led by a set, went up 4-2 in the second, and held two match points in the fifth, but Nadal came back to win the title in a final-set tiebreak.

The match was tense, and emotions ran high. Afterward Federer called Nadal’s game “one-dimensional.” Nadal responded the next day, saying Federer needed “to learn to be a gentleman even when he loses.”

While the animosity of their early clashes cooled as their careers progressed, eventually giving way to mutual respect, Nadal ultimately held the upper hand in their rivalry, finishing with a 24–16 record, including dominance on clay.

The second Grand Slam of the season, Roland Garros, is around the corner, but first, tennis stars have the chance to launch their candidacy in Rome. On the men’s side, all eyes are on Jannik Sinner, who is returning from his three-month suspension, and on Carlos Alcaraz, who won in Monte Carlo but could not compete in Madrid due to injuries.

The Spaniard, who is the current French Open champion, says that he feels confident about his chances of defending his title despite struggling with an adductor injury on his right leg and a hamstring injury on his left leg.

“Yeah, last year was even more difficult,” he responded when asked about his Roland Garros chances, referring to an injury in his arm. “But here, yeah, I couldn’t play Madrid. It was a special tournament for me, which was the same for me not being able to play there.”

He continued, “But I could play really good tournaments, Monte-Carlo, Barcelona, good matches. Right now, I stopped a little bit. I just tried to recover from the injury, which I wasn’t worried about at all. So, I have confidence. The practices have been well. Just excited to start the tournament,” he said about Rome.

“I would say the first round in every tournament is never easy, you have to get used to the conditions, the tournament, the court, everything. But I’m just excited. I can’t wait for tomorrow. I think my level is in a good spot,” he added.

Carlos Alcaraz faces Dusan Lajovic in Rome

Alcaraz is only making his second appearance at the Italian Open, as he missed the event last year due to his arm injury. The Spaniard, the third seed, will debut against Serbian Dusan Lajovic on Friday.

Lajovic is a two-time tour-level champion, finalist in Monte-Carlo in 2019 and former World No. 23. However, he currently sits at No. 131 in the ATP Rankings, after having to miss some tournaments last season due to an ankle injury.