Taylor Fritz to face Novak Djokovic after beating Dan Evans, Jannik Sinner to meet Rafael Nadal

ByJames Walker-Roberts

Updated 11/05/2021 at 08:10 GMT

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are both in action at the Italian Open in Rome this week as they continue their preparations for the French Open later this month. Djokovic will face Taylor Fritz in his first match after the American beat Dan Evans while Nadal will play talented youngster Jannik Sinner.

Taylor Fritz beat Dan Evans in the first round of the Italian Open to set up a meeting with world No 1 Novak Djokovic.

Fritz won five straight games from 1-3 down in the opening set to help secure a 6-3 6-3 victory.

"I was really frustrated to give away the early break," said Fritz.

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He played two pretty good points, then I missed two forehands. I thought I was hitting the ball really well right from the beginning. I just told myself not to get too upset about it, as I was playing well.

"Dan has been playing well lately, beating Novak in Monte Carlo, so it’s great to get a strong win. I am going to try my best [against Djokovic]."

Djokovic has won five times in Rome, including last year, but is yet to make a clay final this season.

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"I didn't play so great in Monaco and Belgrade, but I'm hopefully going to change that here in Rome and then [I have] another week in Belgrade before Roland-Garros," Djokovic said.

"Four tournaments before Roland-Garros is, I think, enough in terms of match play. I'm building my fitness and I'm building just my game slowly, step by step in order to peak in Paris. That's definitely where I want to play my best."

Jannik Sinner will be Rafael Nadal’s first opponent in Rome after securing his 20th win of the season in beating Ugo Humbert 6-2 6-4.

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Sinner trained with Nadal in Australia earlier this year and also pushed him early on in a three-set match at Roland-Garros last year.

Kei Nishikori beat home favourite Fabio Fognini 6-3 6-4 and will next face 11th seed Pablo Carreno Busta.

Thrid seed Daniil Medvedev faces a tricky opener against in-form Aslan Karatsev on Tuesday while fourth seed Dominic Thiem meets Marton Fucsovics on Wednesday.

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