The new rescheduled calendar is rather congested after the tours resumed following the Coronavirus pandemic. Many tournaments are just played back to back so as to make it extremely tricky for the tennis players to compete.
The Internazionali D’Italia in Rome are played soon after the US Open and many players struggle to adapt to a sudden change of surface (from hard to clay courts). Eventually, some players such as Ashleigh Barty (season ended), Petra Kvitova, Aryna Sabalenka, Madison Keys, Maria Sakkari, and Saisai Zheng decided not to compete in Rome. Give their fantastic run at the US Open where they are currently in the semifinals, it is extremely plausible that also Naomi Osaka (that is nursing a hamstring injury) and Serena Williams will not play in Italy.
The good news is that some other exciting players will access the main draw such as Cori Gauff, Iga Swiatek, Caroline Garcia and Marie Bouzkova.
Unfortunately, the tournament will be played without fans.
Oh no Kvitova in Rome…
And what's up with Ferro? https://t.co/ooAvD6g4Mg
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) September 10, 2020
Cori Gauff in 2020
Currently the world no.51, Gauff played her last match on the 31st of August when she lost to Anastasija Sevastova 6-3 5-7 6-4 in the 1st round of the U.S. Open.
Cori Gauff’s most significant performance of this season was getting to the semi-finals in Lexington.
Iga Swiatek in 2020
Currently ranked no.53, the Pole played her last match on the 5th of September when she capitulated to Victoria Azarenka 6-4 6-2 in the 3rd round of the U.S. Open.
Cori Gauff and Iga Swiatek have never played each other.
Garcia in Istanbul, ranking, and results in 2020
Now the world no.50, the French player has a 8-8 win-loss record in 2020. Caroline is now having a run in Istanbul where she managed to beat Cagla Buyukakcay 6-4 0-6 7-5.
Caroline Garcia will play Martincova in the 2nd round. The head to head is 3-1 for Garcia.
Garcia won 7 titles in her career: 3 on hard courts, 2 on clay courts and 2 on grass courts. (See the list of her titles)
Marie Bouzkova in 2020
Ranked world no.46 (career-high), Bouzkova played her last match on the 31st of August when she lost to Jessica Pegula 3-6 6-2 7-63 in the 1st round of the U.S. Open.
Marie Bouzkova’s most significant result of this year was getting to the final in Monterrey.
Caroline Garcia and Marie Bouzkova have never played each other.
