Friday features second round action in both the ATP and WTA singles draws.
Making a concerted effort to limit his 2024 schedule, this is only the fifth event of the year for Novak Djokovic, a six-time champion in Rome. Two months ago in Indian Wells, he suffered a shocking upset to a lucky loser. On Friday, he plays his opening match in Rome against another lucky loser, Corentin Moutet.
WTA second round matches on Friday include two of the top players of the year: Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina. But the day’s most intriguing women’s encounter may be between three-time Major finalist Ons Jabeur and 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin.
Throughout the tournament, this preview will analyze the day’s two most prominent matches, while highlighting the other notable matches on the schedule. Friday’s play begins at 11:00am local time.
Ons Jabeur (8) vs. Sofia Kenin – Not Before 1:00pm on Pietrangeli
2024 has been a tough season thus far for Jabeur, who is just 6-8. She’s been hampered by a right knee injury for a while now, which has limited her play since last season. However, half of her six victories this season came within the last two weeks in Madrid, which included wins over two seeded players (Fernandez, Ostapenko).
Kenin has been struggling for years now, as she fights to rediscover her 2020 form, when she was named the “WTA Player of the Year.” She’s also fought injuries, as well as illness, and has split with and reunited with her dad as her coach. Sofia is only 2-9 this season at tour level, but in the first played some of her best tennis in a long time, defeating Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti 6-3, 6-2.
So which one of these former top four players will pick up some needed momentum on Friday? Kenin actually leads their head-to-head 5-2 at all levels, and notably defeated Jabeur in straights sets at both the 2020 Australian Open and the 2020 US Open. However, their most recent encounter, three years ago in Miami, went to Ons in three sets. And based on recent form, Jabeur must be favored to advance, especially on a surface that will be a bit kinder to her right knee.
Novak Djokovic (1) vs. Corentin Moutet (LL) – Not Before 7:00pm on Center Court
It is quite odd to be in the second week of May, and have a seemingly rather-healthy Novak Djokovic holding a record of just 11-4 on the year. After losing to Jannik Sinner two out of three times to end 2023, and losing for the first time ever in the Australian Open semifinals or finals to the same player, Novak has not seemed like to the same player. He was upset in his second match in Indian Wells by Italian lucky loser Luca Nardi, and lost a three-setter in the Monte Carlo semifinals to Casper Ruud. Those are his only two appearances to date since January.
Moutet is a fiery, flashy Frenchman, but is only 6-6 this season at tour level. He lost in qualifying earlier this week to Thiago Monteiro, yet received a lucky loser spot in the main draw, and came back from a set down on Thursday to beat Roman Safiullin in three. Corentin is 1-2 lifetime in the third round of Masters 1000 tournaments.
One of those two losses came against Djokovic, five years ago in Bercy. Novak took that match in straight sets, which is their only prior meeting. On Friday, Djokovic is a clear favorite to win again, despite any rust he may be feeling.
Other Notable Matches on Friday:
Irina-Camelia Begu vs. Elena Rybakina (4) – Rybakina is now an excellent 30-5 on the year, after losing in the semifinals of Madrid last week to Sabalenka in a third-set tiebreak. And Elena is the defending champion of this event. She’s 0-1 against Begu, though that contest took place seven seasons ago.
Taylor Fritz (11) vs. Fabio Fognini (WC) – Fritz is having quite a solid clay court season, having reached the final in Munich, and the semis in Madrid. Fognini is just 4-2 this year at tour level, and defeated Dan Evans in the first round. These players split two meetings on hard courts several years ago.
Katie Volynets (Q) vs. Aryna Sabalenka (2) – Sabalenka is 20-6 in 2024, after losing an epic final last week in Madrid to Iga Swiatek. Volynets has won 25 matches this season at all levels, including three this week. This is their first career meeting.
Friday’s full Order of Play is here.
