Monday's Play (First round)
Makarova d. Schiavone, 6-3, 6-4
(12) Kerber d. Rodionova, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2
(13) Ivanovic d. Kuznetsova, 6-4, 6-3
Peer d. Peng, 7-6 (4), 4-6, 3-1 (retired)
Scheepers d. Gajdosova, 6-4, 7-6 (3)
Benesova d. Wickmayer, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (5)
Medina Garrigues d. Zheng, 6-2, 6-1
Goerges d. Wozniak, 6-1, 6-7 (1), 6-3
King d. Pironkova, 6-0, 6-1
Arvidsson d. Martinez Sanchez, 6-3, 6-2
Pavlyuchenkova d. Pervak, 6-2, 6-4
McHale d. Niculescu, 6-4, 6-4
Tuesday's Order of Play (First round, *Second round)
*(2) Sharapova v. McHale [Centrale]
—6 am EST.
—Tough to see Sharapova, who won on red clay indoors in Stuttgart, falling to the young American, even if McHale has improved significantly since their last meeting (see below). Then No. 381, McHale is now No. 36, and has already beaten Petra Kvitova this year. McHale's spin should transfer well on clay, but Sharapova is playing too well for that to matter.
The Pick: Sharapova
(9) S. Williams v. Voskoboeva [Centrale]
—Not before 3 pm EST.
V. Williams v. Halep [Supertennis Arena]
—To follow two matches, which begin at 5 am EST.
—Venus hasn't strung together a week's worth of good matches this season, but she's had some noteworthy individual performances—one being a third-set tiebreaker triumph over Halep last week in Madrid. Because of broadcasting restrictions, no one saw that match, and this one might not be shown either. But last week's victory should give Venus a mental edge when she faces Halep again, no matter the American's physical condition.
—The Pick: Williams
Bacsinszky v. Errani [Supertennis Arena]
*(4) Kvitova v. Pavyluchenkova [Pietrangeli]
—Not before 5 am EST.
(16) Kirilenko v. Pennetta [Pietrangeli]
—Banished to the third court while Potito Starace plays on Centrale, Pennetta, a Fed Cup hero for Italy, has a right to feel slighted. She'll take it out on Kirilenko, who, based on her current form, could still win this despite Pennetta's overwhelming crowd support. But I think the paesans go home happy.
—The Pick: Pennetta
(15) Jankovic v. Cirstea [Court 2]
—5 am EST.
(11) Lisicki v. Erakovic [Court 2]
Vinci v. Knapp [Court 2]
Brianti v. Soler-Espinosa [Court 3]
—5 am EST.
(14) Cibulkova v. Lucic [Court 3]
—To follow doubles match, which follows Brianti v. Soler-Espinosa.
TV Schedule
5:00 am - 3:30 pm: Rome (M), Early rounds (Tennis Channel, Live)
4:30 pm - 2:30 am: Rome (M), Early rounds (Tennis Channel, Repeat)