Top 5 Photos 9/16: Nadal dismantles Carreno Busta

No rain fell in Rome on Wednesday, but many top players did continue to shine as they inch closer to the title. However, some favorites were stopped in their tracks by up and coming players.

These are the Top 5 Photos from the Italian Open.

1

Rafael Nadal

Although it's been six months since the Spaniard has competed in a tour-level match, it seems nothing has changed. Nadal is looking fit, focused and excited to be back in action. On Wednesday, the world No. 2 defeated this year's US Open semifinalist Pablo Carreno Busta 6-1, 6-1, in just over an hour to advance into Rome's third round.

2

Dayana Yastremska

The 20-year-old captured her second round in Rome against American Amanda Anisimova. Yastremska played just a little better on the bigger points to come back from behind to win 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-4. The Ukrainian will next face No. 1 seed Simona Halep for a spot in the quarterfinals.

3

Victoria Azarenka

It was a very quick turnaround for Azarenka who had just a couple days to prepare since reaching the US Open's final round. The world No. 14 had a tough opening round against Venus Williams, who she recently fell to in the Top Seed Open's first round. Azarenka captured revenge on the dusty red clay, posting a 7-6 (7), 6-2 score over Venus.

4

Jannik Sinner

It appeared Sinner was on his way to absolutely destroying Stefanos Tsitsipas when he sprinted to a 6-1, 5-2 lead, but Tsitsipas wasn't ready to give up so easily. In the over two-hour bout, the 19-year-old survived Tsitsipas' comeback to claim the match 6-1, 6-7 (9), 6-2.

"I played against him last year here in Rome. I just wanted to play my game and move better," Sinner said in his on-court interview.

5

Novak Djokovic

After the Serb's US Open controversy, he's putting the past behind him, and in his Rome opener he lit up the court with smiles and more high quality play against Salvatore Caruso. In an hour and 24 minutes, the world No. 1 kicked off his clay-court campaign with a seamless 6-3, 6-2 win against the Italian.