Arizona Tribune - Paolini begins Italian Open title defence by battling past Jeanjean

Home hope Paolini is bidding to become the first Italian woman to retain the title in Rome, but was slow out of the blocks at the Foro Italico.

The world number eight turned on the afterburners after going behind following an error-strewn first set, comfortably turning around the match to secure a spot in the third round, where she will meet Elise Mertens.

Paolini's compatriot Matteo Berrettini fell at the first hurdle, 6-2, 6-3 to Alexei Popyrin, a defeat which will see the former Wimbledon finalist drop out of the top 100 in the men's rankings.

Coco Gauff, who Paolini beat in last year's final, faces Tereza Valentova in the reigning French Open champions' opening match of the tournament.

World number one and favourite for the women's title in the Italian capital, Aryna Sabalenka will face Barbora Krejcikova in the final match of the day on centre court.

Sabalenka has never won the Italian Open, with her run to the final two years ago, when she was beaten by Iga Swiatek, her best result.

Th.Gonzalez--AT