Rome Open WTA Day One Round-Up | Bianca Andreescu and Zheng Qinwen lead comeback-heavy opening day in women’s draw
WTATuesday, 05 May 2026 at 20:50
With the opening day of the WTA Rome Open completed, several big names took to the clay for their first-round matches. Among the main storylines was the return to competition of two-time Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikova, who produced a solid straight-sets victory to mark her comeback and secured a second-round meeting with Aryna Sabalenka.
The day in Rome also featured a Grand Slam champions’ clash between Bianca Andreescu and Sofia Kenin, where the Canadian came through with a controlled and composed win. Meanwhile, Olympic gold medallist Zheng Qinwen had to fight back from a set down to secure her place in the second round, in a week where she is defending significant ranking points from last year’s quarter-final run and looking to avoid a notable drop in the rankings.
Krejcikova defeats Jacquemot in straight sets
Score: Krejcikova def. Jacquemot 6-2, 6-4
Krejcikova established immediate control through return depth and early neutralisation of Jacquemot’s serve patterns. From the opening games, she forced extended baseline exchanges that consistently pushed Jacquemot behind the baseline, limiting her ability to dictate with the first strike. The first set showed a clear gap in rally construction, with Krejcikova more stable when building points off second returns.
Read also
Jacquemot’s brief improvement in the second set came through better first-serve placement and a more aggressive first shot after serve, which allowed her to recover a break and briefly disrupt Krejcikova’s rhythm. However, that adjustment was not sustained across multiple service games, as Krejcikova re-established depth control on return and kept her unforced error count under control in neutral rallies.
Statistically, Krejcikova’s higher return points won and superior break-point conversion defined the match. Jacquemot’s inability to consolidate momentum swings prevented her from generating sustained pressure phases. Krejcikova advances with a controlled baseline performance rather than an aggressive or high-risk display. She will face world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
Zheng Qinwen fights back to beat Bondar i
Score: Zheng def. Bondar 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
Bondar started the match with greater structural stability, particularly in neutral baseline exchanges, where she consistently extended rallies and forced Zheng into early shot selection errors. The opening set reflected Zheng’s timing inconsistencies, especially on second serve and return positioning, which allowed Bondar to control rhythm without needing high-risk winners.
The match shifted once Zheng adjusted her return position and increased her first-strike aggression from the forehand side. By stepping closer on second-serve returns, she reduced Bondar’s ability to build depth and began taking control of cross-court exchanges. This adjustment also shortened rallies, which helped reduce her unforced error rate.
In the deciding set, Zheng’s improved break-point conversion and more stable serving under pressure proved decisive. She held key service games at important stages while maintaining controlled aggression in return games. The comeback was driven less by shot volume and more by structural corrections in positioning and rally management.
Bianca Andreescu overcomes Sofia Kenin in straight-sets battle
Score: Andreescu def. Kenin 6-4, 7-5
Andreescu started with a more proactive baseline structure, targeting Kenin’s second serve and applying early pressure in return games through deep, central positioning. The first set was decided by small margins in neutral exchanges, with Andreescu slightly more efficient in turning short balls into controlled offensive patterns.
Kenin responded in the second set by extending rallies and reducing early contact risk, which stabilised her service games and forced Andreescu into longer defensive phases. This adjustment tightened the set considerably, with fewer break opportunities and more reliance on single-game execution.
Andreescu ultimately separated herself through improved late-set return quality and higher break-point efficiency. Her ability to absorb extended baseline pressure without losing structural control was the key factor in closing out both sets.
Zeynep Sonmez completes comeback win
Score: Sonmez def. Ruggeri 4-6, 6-2, 6-2
Ruggeri started strongly, using aggressive court positioning and early break pressure to disrupt Sonmez’s service rhythm. The first set was shaped by Sonmez’s inconsistency on second serve, which allowed Ruggeri to step into return games and dictate early baseline exchanges.
The turning point came with Sonmez improving her service stability and extending rallies with more consistency. By reducing unforced errors, she gradually shifted pressure onto Ruggeri’s second serve, which became increasingly vulnerable. This allowed Sonmez to take control of return games and shorten points in her favour.
Across the final two sets, Sonmez’s improved 69% service-point win rate and stronger break conversion reflected a clear structural reversal. The match moved from early instability to sustained baseline control, with Sonmez dictating tempo and depth in most neutral exchanges.
Kessler edges past Lucia Bronzetti in three-set contest
Score: Kessler def. Bronzetti 6-3, 5-7, 6-4
Kessler began by controlling baseline exchanges through depth and early break consolidation, which limited Bronzetti’s ability to build offensive momentum. The first set followed a clean pattern, with consistent service holds and strong neutral rally execution from the American.
Bronzetti adjusted in the second set by extending rallies and targeting Kessler’s backhand under pressure, which gradually forced errors and disrupted her serve rhythm. This shift created a sustained momentum swing, allowing Bronzetti to take the set after prolonged pressure phases.
The decider came down to late-set execution, where Kessler regained control through improved return depth and better handling of second-serve points. A late break restored her structural advantage, allowing her to close the match in a controlled final service game.
Anastasia Zakharova saves match points to beat Dayana Yastremska
Score: Zakharova def. Yastremska 4-6, 7-5, 7-6
Yastremska started strongly with aggressive baseline hitting and higher winner output, particularly on return games where she regularly controlled second-serve points. Zakharova initially struggled to absorb the pace, especially from deeper defensive positions.
The match shifted as Zakharova increased rally tolerance and improved second-serve reliability, which reduced Yastremska’s ability to dictate early in points. Longer neutral exchanges began to favour Zakharova’s consistency over Yastremska’s higher-risk approach.
The final set developed into a tightly balanced contest with no sustained breaks, eventually decided in a tiebreak by small margins in consistency. Zakharova’s ability to maintain depth under pressure proved decisive in a match defined by fine structural differences.
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- I have her as the winner in my fantasy team on Zweeler.com, so she’d better start bagelling everyone. 🤣
MrAndreeva25-05-2026 - She won today!
AceOfBase25-05-2026 - Happy it's not my dad, what an assssAceOfBase25-05-2026
- Haha I think someone was a tiny bit pissed today :-)AceOfBase25-05-2026
- Jorge is a little puke. He was "banned" by the family for a long time (ala Gauff's father). Saw him come very close to getting an attitude adjustment by an upcoming ATP player once. Darn... someone stopped it.
mandoist25-05-2026 - “I don’t think I’ve fully processed it yet..." No kidding??mandoist25-05-2026
- Blah, Blah, Blah...mandoist23-05-2026
- Mauresmo was never a very nice person. They can shove their money. Players ought to not show up.mandoist21-05-2026
- What a cruel draw for Iga Swiatek!MrAndreeva21-05-2026
- Silly child. May she learn the art of forgivenessRapunzel19-05-2026
Loading