The 10-time champion rallied from a set down to defeat the Belgian qualifier and advance into the second round of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.

The 2020 Australian Open pulled off an upset at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia for a second straight year to win back-to-back matches for the first time since September.

The Australian Open finalist recovered from a right leg injury that forced her to retire in Madrid and has been all business thus far at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.

“I like the different vibe,” the world No. 1 says of Rome. “It’s pretty crazy with the fans. They’re loud and they’re everywhere.”

The 2020 US Open champion was reportedly thinking of playing his final tournament at home in Vienna this fall, and gave a statement explaining his decision to retire at the end of the year.

Océane Dodin will take Rybakina’s place in the women’s singles draw after the No. 4 seed was forced to pull out of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.

Expansion of tune-up tournaments and lack of uniformity are having repercussions on the players.