Sinner vs Cerundolo: the challenge of the round of 16 at the Rome Internationals

It will be a rematch of sorts. Two years ago, in fact, in the only precedent on clay between the two, the Argentine eliminated the Italian in three sets (6-7, 6-2, 6-2), preventing him from entering the round of 16 of the capital tournament.

An opponent, therefore, to be approached with great respect by the world number one, who in the first two matches after his comeback, against Navone - another Argentinean - and de Jong, showed that he has not lost the quality of his tennis at all, but that he must, of course, regain his competitive condition.

Cerundolo, for his part, has not yet dropped a set, having beaten Chilean Jarry 7-6, 6-3 and, in the round of 16, Austrian Ofner 6-2, 6-4.

For the South Tyrolean, therefore, a particularly challenging engagement lies ahead in what will be the fifth meeting between the two (the previous two are perfectly tied, 2-2). The match between Sinner and Cerundolo is scheduled for tomorrow at around 3 p.m.

On the women's side, eleven years after Sara Errani an Italian returned to the quarter-finals at the Foro Italico. It was Jasmine Paolini who beat Latvian Jelena Ostapenko, world no. 18, for the first time in her career with a score of 7-5, 6-2 in one hour and 44 minutes.

It was a match in crescendo for Paolini who had to deal with the ups and downs of her opponent who alternated fine points with glaring errors. In the end it paid off for Paolini's continuity, who was good at hanging on in the first set (she cancelled two break points of a possible 5-2) and then in control in the second set where she managed to make the difference with her serve.

For the first time in the quarters in Rome, Jasmine will face in the next roundRussian Diana Shnaider, no. 11 Wta, who beat Belgian Mertens in two sets (6-2, 6-3)

"I stuck to every point, slowly I found my way and I am happy," said the Italian at the end of the match. "The crowd is special, playing with a full Centre is a dream. I enjoyed it fully. I'm satisfied because I stayed there in the tough moments, trying not to give her rhythm as she hits winners from all over the court. I'm happy to have brought it home, especially here in Rome. Errani? Sara is part of my team, I'm happy to have her there. I dedicate this victory to my family and my team. With Lopez we have only played tournaments, there has been little training. We are trying to prepare matches more on a tactical level. Am I the tennis player to beat? I don't look at the scoreboard. Shnaider is a dangerous player, left-handed. It will be a tough match, but I am here to fight.