Rome, Italy, 12 May 2024 | Rhys de Deugd

Alex de Minaur kept the singles hopes alive for Australians at the Italian Open in Rome, as he moved into the third round with a convicing victory over Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena.

De Minaur took on Carballes Baena for the first time in his career, notching up his 24th win of the year and fifth of the clay-court season 6-3 6-2.

In his first match of the tournament, the last remaining Aussie in both singles draws was clinical against the world No.62, as he broke serve six times and won 74 percent of his first-serve points for the match.

The world No.11’s trademark speed around the court was on show as he allowed Carballes Baena just seven winners, and capitalised by registering 17 of his own.

The win holds the top-ranked Australian in good stead ahead of a third-round test against world No.20 Felix Auger-Aliassime.

In what will be their third meeting on tour, De Minaur is looking for his first win over the Canadian, who is coming off a career-best ATP Masters 1000 result as a finalist in Madrid.

A win in the third round will tie De Minaur’s best run in Rome from 2022.

https://twitter.com/atptour/status/1789286779763229167

Aussies in action – Rome

RESULTS

Women’s singles, first round
Clara Tauson (DEN) d Daria Saville (AUS) 6-2 6-3

> VIEW: Italian Open women’s singles draw

Men’s singles, first round
Jaume Munar (ESP) d Rinky Hijikata (AUS) 6-4 7-5
Roberto Carballes Baena (ESP) d Chris O’Connell (AUS) 6-7(7) 5-0 (ret.)
[Q] Hamad Medjedovic (SRB) d Alexei Popyrin (AUS) 6-3 6-2

Men’s singles, second round
[9] Alex de Minaur (AUS) d Roberto Carballes Baena (ESP) 6-3 6-2
[Q] Thiago Monteiro (BRA) d [32] Jordan Thompson (AUS) 6-1 6-3
[3] Alexander Zverev (GER) d Aleksandar Vukic (AUS) 6-0 6-4

> VIEW: Italian Open men’s singles draw

Men’s doubles, first round
Mate Pavic (CRO)/Marcelo Arevalo (ESA) d [Alt] John-Patrick Smith (AUS)/Cristian Rodriguez (COL) 6-4 6-2
Simone Bolelli (ITA)/Andrea Vavassori (ITA) d [Alt] John Peers (AUS)/Christopher Eubanks (USA) 7-6(4) 6-3
[6] Tim Puetz (GER)/ Kevin Krawietz (GER) d Alex de Minaur (AUS)/Alexei Popyrin (AUS) 5-7 6-3 [10-1]
[3] Rajeev Ram (USA)/Joe Salisbury (GBR) d Jordan Thompson (AUS)/Sebastian Korda (USA) 4-6 6-2 [10-8]

Women’s doubles, first round
Sara Errani (ITA)/Jasmine Paolini (ITA) d [2] Ellen Perez (AUS)/ Nicole Melichar-Martinez (USA) 5-7 7-6(6) [10-7]

COMING UP

Men’s doubles, first round
[2] Matt Ebden (AUS)/Rohan Bopanna (IND) v [WC] Matteo Arnaldi (ITA)/Francesco Passaro (ITA)

Men’s singles, third round
[9] Alex de Minaur (AUS) v [18] Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN)

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