Top 5 Photos 9/15: Muguruza seamlessly advances in Rome

By Jordaan SanfordPublished September 15, 2020

Rain hit the courts and suspended play for a couple of hours in Rome on Day 2. Despite the delays, top names managed to stay focused and captured their opening round matches to kick off the clay-court season.

These are the Top 5 photos from Tuesday at the Italian Open.

Campo Centrale

Similar to the US Open, players are back in the bubble, but this time in Rome. No fans will fill the Campo Centrale arena, and it's still odd to see so many empty seats at a tournament that is typically packed with excited and loud spectators.

TOPSHOT - A general view shows the central court's empty tribunes during a match on day two of the Internazionali BNL D'Italia ATP tour at Foro Italico on September 15, 2020 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Riccardo Antimiani / POOL / AFP) (Photo by RICCARDO ANTIMIANI/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) — © POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Garbine Muguruza

After capturing the first set 6-3, Muguruza and Sloane Stephens would step off court for over an hour while they waited for rain to pass. The Spaniard came out strong, breaking the 2017 US Open champion early in the second and maintained control to post a 6-3, 6-3 score.

Denis Shapovalov

The Canadian is coming in off a great showing in New York. Shapovalov reached the US Open's last eight before falling to Pablo Carreno Busta in five tough sets. The 21-year-old didn't have much time to prepare on the red clay, but handily defeated Guido Pella 6-2, 6-3 in his opener.

Coco Gauff

The 16-year-old didn't run into any issues like she did against Ons Jabeur in their previous meeting at the Top Seed Open. At the WTA Premier clay-court event, Gauff frustrated Jabeur with her consistency to post a 6-4, 6-3 win. Gauff will face Muguruza in Rome's second round.

ROME, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 15: Cori Gauff of The United States plays a backhand in her round one match against Ons Jabeur of Tunisia during day two of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia at Foro Italico on September 15, 2020 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

Andrey Rublev

Rublev is also coming into Rome after a great couple of weeks in New York. The No. 12 reached the quarterfinals of this year's US Open before falling short to friend Daniil Medvedev. The 22-year-old brought the same high quality to Rome, and captured his 20th win of the year by defeating qualifier Facundo Bagnis, 6-4, 6-4.