Jannik Sinner's much-anticipated return goes smoothly at Italian Open

ATP No. 1 and top overall seed Jannik Sinner kept things simple in his first match back from a doping ban by dispatching Argentina's Mariano Navone in straight sets in Rome on Saturday, winning 6-3, 6-4 to advance in his home country's Italian Open.

"It's an amazing feeling, no? I've waited quite a long time for this moment, and I'm very happy to be back," Sinner said.

Sinner took 1:39 to polish off the win on the clay surface, building a commanding 4-1 lead in the first set before finishing things off from there. The second set proved a little more troublesome, with Navone grabbing early 2-1 and 3-2 leads before rallying for a 4-4 tie until Sinner took the final two games.

The Italian, who had not competed since winning the Australian Open in January due to the suspension, was clutch on break points, converting three of six opportunities, compared to 0-for-2 for his opponent. He also held a commanding advantage in return points won (27 against 18).

"I'm very happy about the win today," Sinner added. "It's been very difficult.

"He's such a great player, especially on this surface. I tried to move the ball around. At times it went very well, at times it could be better, but in any case, it's been a remarkable day for me."

Sinner advances to face the Netherlands' Jesper De Jong, a 2-0 winner over Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.

Matteo Berrettini also thrilled the home-country crowd, coming from behind to top Jacob Fearnley 6-4, 7-6 (0) and move to the third round.

Berrettini, the No. 29 seed, is appearing in the Rome tournament for the first time since 2021 because of injury and illnesses. He had to pull out of the Madrid Open last week because of an abdominal injury.

Down 5-3 in the second set, Berrettini won a tough ninth game to break Fearnley's serve and get the match back on track. He then shut out the Brit in the tiebreaker to pull off the win in one hour, 55 minutes.

He has a tough draw awaiting him in No. 6 Casper Ruud, a clay-court specialist from Norway who won the Madrid Open last week. Ruud had to contend with 15 aces and a series of winning drop volleys from Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan en route to a 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 victory. Ruud is a three-time semifinalist in Rome.

"He always hits spectacular shots, and sometimes it's a little frustrating for us opponents," Ruud said of Bublik. "But all in all, happy to be through a tough three-setter. It's never easy against (Bublik). We had a tough match here in Rome a couple of years ago, so happy to get another today."

Not happy was Taylor Fritz, the No. 4 seed, who was upset by fellow American Marcos Giron 7-6(4), 7-6(3). Giron was down 4-0 in the second set but regained his two lost break points to get back in the match and win in one hour, 45 minutes.

Giron set up a third-round match with Hubert Hurkacz of Poland, who eliminated Spain's Pedro Martinez 6-1, 7-5.

No. 11 seed Tommy Paul made quick work of Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut and next will play against No. 19 Tomas Machac, a Czech, who beat Learner Tien in straight sets.

Spain's Jaume Munar defeated No. 12 Ben Shelton in dominating fashion, winning 6-2, 6-1. Munar will oppose No. 22 Sebastian Korda.

Another American, No. 15 Frances Tiafoe, was eliminated with his three-set loss to Sebastian Ofner of Austria. Ofner will square off against No. 17 Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina.

Other players to advance were Fabian Marozsan of Hugary, who took a 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 win against No. 16 Andrey Rublev of Russia. In the third round, he will meet Czech Jakub Mensik.

--Field Level Media