Italian Open Tennis: Draws, dates, Aryna Sabalenka and Victoria Azarenka set to compete – Emma Raducanu and Andy Murray’s absence raises questions | Tennis News

The Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome is in full swing, with some exciting matches lined up for Wednesday. On the women’s side, Jelena Ostapenko will face off against second seed Aryna Sabalenka, while Victoria Azarenka will take on Danielle Collins later in the day. In the men’s draw, Alejandro Tabilo will meet Zhang Zhizhen, and Alexander Zverev will go up against Taylor Fritz.

However, two notable British players, Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu, are missing from the action in Rome this year. Murray is currently recovering from an ankle injury and is set to return at the ATP Challenger Tour in Bordeaux before competing at the Geneva Open. Raducanu, on the other hand, is planning to participate in the Internationaux de Strasbourg but is also entered into qualifying for the French Open unless she receives a wild card into the main draw.

In addition to Murray and Raducanu, home favorite Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and defending women’s champion Elina Rybakina are also absent from the tournament due to various injuries and illnesses.

The Italian Open, the third clay-court ATP Masters 1000 event of the season, features the world’s best players competing at the iconic Foro Italico in Rome. With top players like Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal making early exits, the competition is heating up as players vie for the prestigious title.

Stay tuned to Sky Sports for all the latest updates and live coverage of the Italian Open as the tournament progresses towards the finals weekend on May 18. Don’t miss out on the action as the defending champions, Daniil Medvedev and Elena Rybakina, look to retain their titles in Rome.