Fognini bows out as Rome hails Sinner's return

IN the wake of the departures of two prominent Romans, pre the Italian Open, first the passing of beloved pontif, Pope Francis and then to a lesser extent, the retirement of former Italian No 1, Fabio Fognini, the return of World No 1, Jannik Sinner, to Foro Italico, is all the more poignant.

- DEBORAH CURTIS-SETCHELL

This marks Sinners first professional appearance, since the Australian Open, after a provisional three-month drug suspension.

He finds himself in the top half of the draw, together with newly crowned, Madrid champion, Casper Ruud, with whom, he will potentially clash in the quarters and in the opposite side of the draw to arch rivals, World No 3, Carlos Alcaraz and defending champion, Alexander Zverev, whom he’s destined to meet in the semis.

Alcaraz, bouncing back from an abductor injury, which precipitated his withdrawal from the Madrid Open is meanwhile seeded to confront the brand new World No 5, Jack Draper in the Quarters.

23-year-old Draper happens to be Sinner’s closest friend on Tour and one of the Italian’s staunchest supporters, in terms of fierce criticism for Sinner, from other players, e.g, American, Frances Tiafoe, regarding the short length of his ban.