Keep up to date with the schedule for the Italian Open in Rome as the women’s semi-finals take place on Thursday, as do the rest of the men’s quarters.
World No 1 Jannik Sinner continues his return as he faces Norway’s Casper Ruud for a place in the semi-finals, live on Sky Sports Tennis, with Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz facing the USA’s Tommy Paul in the day’s earlier quarter.
The women’s semi-final lineup sees Italy’s Jasmine Paolini face American Peyton Stearns, while later on Thursday the USA’s Coco Gauff faces China’s Qinwen Zheng for a place in the final – both matches are live on Sky Sports Tennis.
British No 1 Jack Draper suffered defeat to two-time French Open champion Alcaraz on Wednesday.
Alcaraz beats Draper in Italian Open quarter
Draper suffered a straight-sets 6-4 6-4 defeat to Alcaraz as his run at the Italian Open ended at the quarter-final stage.
The British No 1 was ultimately undone in straight sets as Alcaraz saved six of the eight break points he faced to advance to the last four in Rome.
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Highlights of the Italian Open quarter-final between Jack Draper and Carlos Alcaraz in Rome
Draper was victorious the last time these two met, in the semi-finals at Indian Wells in March en route to the Englishman claiming his first Masters 1000 title, and he made a strong start this time, breaking serve to lead 4-2 in the first set thanks to an Alcaraz double fault.
After falling 5-4 behind following a poor game, he relinquished two opportunities to break back and save the set.
He initially looked to have recovered in the second and put pressure on Alcaraz’s serve, but he failed again to convert two break points in the penultimate game, handing his opponent the momentum.
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Draper reacts to his quarter-final defeat to Alcaraz in Rome whilst Tim Henman and Laura Robson have their say on his post-match interview
Draper, who was in search of a maiden clay title on the ATP tour, has looked tired in Rome, mentally as much as physically, with the defeat coming as a disappointment following last week’s run to the Madrid Open final.
Sinner makes his return: What led to ban?
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Jannik Sinner says his three-month doping ban was unfair because he is innocent
Jannik Sinner is back in action after his three-month ban. He won his first match on the ATP Tour since claiming the Australian Open in January against Mariano Navone then defeated Dutch player Jesper De Jong in the round of 32.
Sinner’s match against Navone was his first in more than 100 days, since he won his third Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January.
Sinner is returning to the sport after agreeing a three-month ban with the World Anti-Doping Agency over the positive tests he returned last March for a banned steroid.
Sinner was initially cleared of blame after it was accepted the substance entered his body via a product used by his then physio during a massage, but WADA appealed the decision.
In February, less than a month after winning his third Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, it was announced he had accepted the short suspension, which will run out on May 5.
The case has provoked strong reactions from inside and outside the sport, with many arguing Sinner has received preferential treatment, although he has always maintained he did not do anything wrong.
Sinner is on a 21-match winning streak dating back to a final loss against Carlos Alcaraz in Beijing at the beginning of October and still has a lead of close to 2,000 points at the top of the rankings.
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Tim Henman says that Sinner’s three-month ban from tennis seems ‘too convenient’ and leaves a ‘sour taste’ for the sport
What’s the Italian Open schedule?
Alexander Zverev beat Nicolas Jarry in the final of the Italian Open last year
Day sessions begin at 10am, with evening sessions starting at 6pm.
Main Draw: Wednesday May 7 – Sunday May 18
Women’s singles final: Saturday May 17 (not before 5pm)
Men’s singles final: Sunday May 18 (not before 5pm)
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