The Spaniard had been sidelined from the two-week Rome tournament with a right arm injury.

In a meeting between two struggling players, look for the American, who has a head-to-head edge over the Tunisian, to at least make things respectable.

But meanwhile, in Rome, Ons Jabeur snatched some quality one-one-one time with Sabalenka's "tour soulmate" Paula Badosa.

There are plenty of reminders of upright behavior in tennis—if you care to look for them.

The group's collective efforts were cheered by one of the modern game's most famous one-handers, Carla Suárez Navarro.

The No. 18 seed lost the first eight games before settling in for a 0-6, 7-5, 6-1 victory Tuesday.

The former Madrid champion is in good spirits at the Caja Mágica after back-to-back wins for the first time in 2024.

Caroline Wozniacki and Naomi Osaka will both make their Madrid returns against qualifiers, while Simona Halep withdrew.

Rybakina battled her way to a roller coaster 7-6 (3), 1-6, 6-4 victory over Veronika Kudermetova, and will face Jasmine Paolini after the Italian upset seventh-seeded Ons Jabeur 7-6 (8), 6-4.

After watching VfB Stuttgart’s 3-0 victory with good friend Aryna Sabalenka over the weekend, the Tunisian returned to the winners’ circle herself with a comeback against Ekaterina Alexandrova.