Andreescu, Shapovalov Lose Out in Rome

By Francesco Tosini

May 7, 2026

Match Results WTA ATP Bianca Andreescu Denis Shapovalov

Bianca Andreescu and Denis Shapovalov were unable to extend their times in the Eternal City as the Ontarians were ousted in straight sets at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia on Thursday.

Andreescu was up against her highest-ranked opponent since Rome last year in world No. 12 Belinda Bencic, falling 6-4, 6-1.

The Swiss was led to victory by her respectable 20 winners, going on to win 20 of the last 22 points of the match to book her ticket into round three. Andreescu's struggles mostly came from her second delivery, winning just 17 per cent of her second-serve points while committing seven double faults, a few which led to losses of serve.

Bencic applied some significant pressure right from the opening game, hitting the ball cleanly on her way to a double break point at 15-40. The Swiss converted on the first try then comfortably backed up her early break to take a 2-0 advantage.

Undeterred, Andreescu found her rhythm and strung together three-straight games to go 3-2 in front, but that spell brought the best back out of Bencic who won 14 of the next 19 balls to lead by a break once more at 5-3. The world No. 12 held to love for the second consecutive time in the tenth game to wrap up the opening set on her delivery.

The second started in the same way as the first, with Bencic forcing the loss of serve in the opening game, but Andreescu responded quickly and broke right back. However, the Canadian was under stress again at 1-1, 30-40, committing her fifth double fault to concede serve.

There was no stopping Bencic from that point as she dropped just two points the rest of the way, sealing the match with a backhand winner at 1-5, love-40.

Navone Spoils Potential All-Canadian Round-Two Clash Between Shapovalov and Auger-Aliassime

All roads nearly lead to a battle between Canada’s top two in Rome, but Denis Shapovalov was unable to get past Mariano Navone in the Internazionali BNL d’Italia first round on Thursday to set up that clash.

The Argentine No. 3 looked most comfortable on the Roman clay as he played on the front foot for much of the match, breaking the Canadian on four-consecutive occasions from 4-4 in the first set before he served out the contest to secure the 6-4, 6-2 victory.

Both players finished even with 15 winners, but Shapovalov had the unwanted greater tally in unforced errors, recording 28 on the evening.

Navone had the brighter start on his favoured surface. The Argentine didn’t give Shapovalov a chance to breath on his delivery early, holding six break points through the Canadian’s opening three service games, but the Canuck kept the damage to a minimum, saving all except one. That paid off for Shapovalov as he needed just one break point at 3-2 to force the loss of serve and equalize.

The Richmond Hillian then got the Rome crowd behind him thanks to a forceful passing shot at 3-3, 30-all, leading to another break opportunity. However, Navone won the next seven points to hold and lead by a break again at 5-3. The world No. 44 completed his strong end to the set by serving out the opener.

Shapovalov had a tough start to the second following a medical timeout. The Canadian dug himself out of a love-40 hole in the opening game before losing serve after deuce two. The world No. 37 had the chance to break back at 1-0, 30-40, but Navone managed to hold to increase his advantage.

After trading breaks, the Argentine broke for the fourth-straight time in the fifth game, consolidating with a hold to inch one-game closer to the second round at 5-1.

While serving for the match, Navone got the best of a 25-shot rally at 5-2, 30-all, giving the 25-year-old match point in which he converted, ending the hopes of an all-Canadian clash in round two.

Félix Auger-Aliassime will seek revenge on behalf of his compatriot as the Montrealer opens the tournament against Navone on Saturday.

Feature Photo: Martin Sidorjak