In an unexpected turn of events, the Italian Open in Rome witnessed two matches being momentarily halted due to a protest staged by climate activists. The disruption occurred during the last-16 tie between Madison Keys and Sorana Cirstea, as well as a doubles match featuring Santiago Gonzalez, Edouard Roger-Vasselin, Marcelo Arevalo, and Mate Pavic.
During American Keys’ commanding lead of 6-2 3-1, two activists sporting orange vests stormed the court, tossing confetti as an act of protest. Additionally, some protesters affixed themselves to the stands, prompting the intervention of law enforcement and firefighters. Fortunately, the interruption was short-lived, with the activists swiftly removed, allowing the matches to resume. Keys eventually secured victory over Romanian Cirstea with a scoreline of 6-2 6-1, reflecting on the unsettling experience, she remarked, “Obviously it’s not the greatest feeling when you’re on court, your first reaction is kind of your own safety. It’s obviously something that’s becoming more of an occurrence and something that tournaments are going to have to figure out how to stop.”
Similar scenes unfolded on court 12, temporarily halting the doubles match.
Meanwhile, in other tournament highlights, Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie faced a tough defeat against sixth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, who clinched victory with a score of 6-2 7-6 (7-1). Reflecting on his win, Tsitsipas emphasized his patience and determination during crucial moments, underscoring the significance of small details in a match.
In the women’s tournament, World number one Iga Swiatek showcased her resilience against Germany’s Angelique Kerber, emerging victorious with a 7-5 6-3 triumph. Swiatek’s road to victory wasn’t without its challenges, as Kerber put up a spirited fight, particularly in the first set where she saved multiple set points. Looking ahead, Swiatek acknowledged the upcoming challenge of facing Madison Keys in the quarter-finals, emphasizing the importance of focus and discipline.
In another compelling match, Naomi Osaka faced a setback, losing 6-2 6-3 to China’s Zheng Qinwen. Zheng’s formidable performance, including a streak of seven consecutive games in the first set, secured her a spot in the quarter-finals where she’ll face off against Coco Gauff. Gauff herself demonstrated resilience, rallying from a set down to defeat Paula Badosa of Spain with a final score of 5-7 6-4 6-1.
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