Tennis: Poland’s Fręch reaches 2nd round of Italian Open

Poland’s Magdalena Fręch has made it through to the second round of the women’s singles at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome.

Magdalena Fręch

EPA/KIERAN GALVIN

The 25-year-old Pole, who is ranked world No. 94 by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA), defeated home favourite Matilde Paoletti 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 in their first-round clash in the Italian capital on Wednesday.

Magdalena Fręch 🎾🇵🇱 pokonała 4:6; 6:2; 7:5 Włoszkę Matilde Paoletti w pierwszej rundzie turnieju WTA 1000 na kortach ziemnych w Rzymie. Kolejną rywalką Polki będzie Amerykanka Madison Keys. #WTARoma https://t.co/6625yvgmop

— Sport PR (@sportradiopl) May 10, 2023

Up next for the Polish qualifier at the clay-court tournament in Rome is 23rd-ranked American Madison Keys.

Meanwhile, Poland's Iga Świątek, the world No. 1 in women's tennis, and 19th-ranked countrywoman Magda Linette both had a bye in the first round of the Italian Open.

Linette is set to play her second-round match on Thursday, while Świątek is expected to step on the court on Friday.

Iga Świątek zmierzy się z Anastazją Pawluczenkową, która po długiej przerwie wraca do wielkiego tenisa #WTARoma https://t.co/J5czw0lD9z

— Sport PR (@sportradiopl) May 10, 2023

Poland's Świątek won last year's Italian Open. She also triumphed in Rome in 2021.

She came, she saw, she conquered, 𝗦𝗛𝗘’𝗦 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞. 🔥@iga_swiatek hits the court for her first Rome practice session since winning her 2022 🏆#IBI23 | @WTA pic.twitter.com/frUxOOG99J

— Internazionali BNL d'Italia (@InteBNLdItalia) May 10, 2023

"If you see me lost like Katy Perry please save me" 😅

🤩 @iga_swiatek is impressed by the new look of the Foro Italico#IBI23 | @WTA pic.twitter.com/saCJWKaxBY

— Internazionali BNL d'Italia (@InteBNLdItalia) May 10, 2023

Our champ’s back and she’s 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 🧠#IBI23 | @WTA pic.twitter.com/J8JzWmxhEX

— Internazionali BNL d'Italia (@InteBNLdItalia) May 9, 2023

The 2023 Italian Open runs until May 21.

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP