Naomi Osaka, Dominic Thiem, Alexander Zverev, and Daniil Medvedev all announced that they intended to pull out from the Internazionali d’Italia that are played in Rome soon after the US Open. Obviously, playing on a slow clay in Europe soon after competing on a fast hard court in the US is not an easy transaction especially if a player had a long run in the American major.
Many were surprised by the fact that Serena Williams was still in the official entry list in Rome until today. However, the American champion pulled out officially from the tournament a few hours before the compilation of the main draw to release the following statement:
“I regretfully must withdraw from The Internazionali BNL d’Italia due to an Achilles strain. I’m so humbled by the continuous support from my fans in Rome and I look forward to making my return soon.”
Will Serena Williams play the French Open
The former world no.1 expressed her doubts about competing in Paris this year after she learned about the strict restrictions. However, after losing the semifinal against Vika Azarenka, she confirmed that she will definitely play the French slam. Paris seems to be her next destination where she will try to finally win her elusive 24th slam.
Serena Williams in 2020
Now the world no.8, Serena Williams played her last match on the 10th of September when she was defeated by Victoria Azarenka 1-6 6-3 6-3 in the semifinal of the U.S. Open.
Currently, this season Serena Williams has a 16-5 win-loss record. Serena Williams clinched 1 title in Auckland.
Osaka at the U.S. Open, ranking, and results in 2020
Ranked no.9, the Japanese has a 15-3 win-loss record in 2020. The Japanese is now playing at the U.S. Open where she overcame Misaki Doi 6-2 5-7 6-2, Camila Giorgi 6-1 6-2, Marta Kostyuk 6-3 6-74 6-2, Anett Kontaveit 6-3 6-4, Shelby Rogers 6-3 6-4 and Jennifer Brady 7-61 3-6 6-3.
Naomi Osaka will play Azarenka in the final. The head to head is 2-1 for Osaka.
The Japanese reached the final in New York. Osaka won 5 titles in her career: all of them conquered on hard courts. (See the list of her titles)
Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka played each other 3 times. The head to head is 2-1 for Osaka. The last time that they squared off, Serena Williams won 6-3 6-4 in the quarter in Toronto (Rogers Cup) in August 2019.
In the video below you can watch the highlights.
Thiem at the U.S. Open, ranking, and results in 2020
Ranked world no.3 (career-high), Thiem has a 15-5 win-loss record in 2020. Dominic is competing at the U.S. Open where he toppled Jaume Antoni Munar Clar 7-66 6-3 ret., Sumit Nagal 6-3 6-3 6-2, Marin Cilic 6-2 6-2 3-6 6-3, Felix Auger Aliassime 7-64 6-1 6-1, Alex De Minaur 6-1 6-2 6-4 and Daniil Medvedev 6-2 7-67 7-65.
Dominic Thiem will take on Zverev in the final. The head to head is 7-2 for Thiem.
The Austrian was the finalist at the Australian Open. The Austrian won 16 titles in his career: 3 on hard courts, 10 on clay courts, 2 on indoor courts and 1 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Zverev at the U.S. Open, ranking, and results in 2020
Currently ranked no.7, Zverev has a 12-6 win-loss record in 2020. Zverev is currently having a run at the U.S. Open where he beat Kevin Anderson 7-62 5-7 6-3 7-5, Brandon Nakashima 7-5 6-78 6-3 6-1, Adrian Mannarino 6-74 6-4 6-2 6-2, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-2 6-2 6-1, Borna Coric 1-6 7-65 7-61 6-3 and Pablo Carreno-Busta 3-6 2-6 6-3 6-4 6-3.
The German won 11 titles in his career: 3 on hard courts, 5 on clay courts and 3 on indoor courts. (See the list of his titles)
As mentioned, Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev played each other 9 times. The head to head is 7-2 for Thiem. The last time that they locked horns, Dominic Thiem won 3-6 6-4 7-63 7-64 in the semifinal in Melbourne (Australian Open) on the 31st of January 2020.
In the following video you can watch the highlights.
Serena Williams |
| Embed from Getty Images |
