Rome Open ATP Day Four Round-Up | Jannik Sinner continues Golden Masters quest, disappointment for Fils, Shelton and Auger-Aliassime

More second round matches in the ATP Rome Open. The Italian tennis fans have been patient but finally they can turn their attention to the world number one Jannik Sinner who made his return to the Italian capital after his final run last year. Aside from Sinner, there was a whole bunch of talent on show. Ben Shelton, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Arthur Fils, Andrey Rublev, Jakub Mensik and Flavio Cobolli all featured.

Sinner's bid saw him face off against Sebastian Ofner and he took him down 6-3, 6-4 to reach the third round. The World No.1 made history last week in Madrid where he became the first player to win five consecutive ATP Masters 1000 titles. He is just ROme away from winning the Golden Masters.

He was able to hit through Ofner with consummate ease as he committed just five unforced errors in the first set. He took complete control to start the second. He surged towards victory in one hour and 31 minutes.

"It is an amazing feel to be back," Sinner said. "The first match, the most important thing is not to lose. The level will eventually come day by day. I am very happy to be here. Since day one, this has been a very special tournament for me. Every year when you come here, you reflect about the year a little bit, being Italian and in a year a lot of things can change. I am happy to be here."

He now faces Alexei Popyrin who took down Jakub Mensik 6-4 in a final set in an epic conclusion to the day and a match that could really have gone either way in the end but went the way of the Aussie.

Albeit one of the leading figures who was in action in Arthur Fils could not stave off injury. He retired after just four games as Andrea Pellegrino led 4-0 when the Frenchman could not continue due to a physical issue.

Fils a semi-finalist in Madrid and champion in Barcelona last month called a medical timeout and left the court before not returning. Pellegrino a qualifier now has a big chance as the World No.155 on home soil faces Frances Tiafoe who overcame Ignacio Buse 6-7, 6-3, 6-2.

It was abject disappointment, though for Ben Shelton, who was defeated by Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-4, 6-7, 6-3. The former No. 16 player advanced to a Masters 1000 third round for the first time since Indian Wells in 2022 and capitalised on 39 unforced errors from Shelton.

"I was extremely tight from the beginning of the match," Basilashvili said. "For me, it means a lot to have these kinds of matches, especially [against a] Top 10 player. Super happy and I am looking forward to the next match."

While Felix Auger-Aliassime struggled to walk as he was beaten by Mariano Navone. 7-6(4), 7-6(5) to the Argentine who now faces Hamad Medjedovic who silenced the Brazilian fans and Joao Fonseca with a superb last set tie-break win 7-1 where he did the put em to sleep celebration.

Other victors included Andrey Rublev who saw off Miomir Kecmanovic 6-4, 6-4. Corentin Moutet lost to Pablo Llamas Ruiz 4-6, 6-3, 6-7. While Daniil Medvedev had a walkover against an injured Tomas Machac. Mattia Bellucci also won on home soil as did Flavio Cobolli. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina also sealed it seeing off Cristian Garin 6-7, 4-6.