Italian Open: Grigor Dimitrov stunned by Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in first round
Italian Open, Grigor Dimitrov, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Roberto Bautista Agut, Tommy Paul, Nadia Podoroska, Serena Williams, Laura Siegemund, Madison Keys, Sloane Stephens
Grigor Dimitrov in action against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina at the Italian Open. AFP
Sixteenth seed Grigor Dimitrov crashed out of the Italian Open in the first round on Tuesday when he was beaten in straight sets by Spanish qualifier Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
The world number 48 saved two set points in the second set as he dismissed the 2014 semi-finalist Dimitrov 6-4, 7-6 (7/2) to win in one hour and 43 minutes.
Tenth seed Roberto Bautista Agut booked his place in the second round with a comfortable 6-3, 6-4 win over American Tommy Paul.
World number one Novak Djokovic, the five-time champion in Rome, meets Taylor Fritz in the second round later on Tuesday.
On the women's side, Argentinian Nadia Podoroska, ranked 44 in the world, assured herself of a second round meeting with Serena Williams, playing her first event since the Australian Open, when she came from a set down to beat German Laura Siegemund 2-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-1.
Madison Keys won the battle of the Americans when she overcame Sloane Stephens 4-6, 6-2, 7-5.
also read
Italian Open: Novak Djokovic's 1000th win sets up French Open replay; Swiatek to face Jabeur in final
Djokovic is chasing a sixth title in Rome ahead of Roland Garros and dealt with Casper Ruud on his way to a 12th final at one of his favourite venues.
Novak Djokovic turns spotlight on Carlos Alcaraz ahead of Roland Garros
Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest player since the start of the ATP Tour in 1990 to beat three top-five players at the same event.
Iga Swiatek retains Italian Open to claim a fifth straight crown
Iga Swiatek has dropped just one set in her last 20 matches and made light work of Jabeur, ranked seven in the world, in a largely one-sided final in Rome