American tennis star Sofia Kenin has unleashed on match officials for forcing her to compete in wet weather conditions during her first-round match at the Italian Open.
The 25-year-old defeated local star Lucia Bronzetti in straight sets 6-3, 6-2 at Rome’s Foro Italico to go through to the second round.
During the match, Kenin expressed her concerns and dissatisfaction about playing on the wet courts, with match officials ignoring her requests and electing for play to continue.
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Kenin was heard yelling expletives at the umpire before quickly directing her frustrations towards the Italian crowds, who booed the Russian-born star’s behaviour.
Shortly after her requests, the match came to a halt due to the rain, with Kenin returning to play in front of a hostile crowd.
The former world No.4 did not allow the colourful atmosphere to affect her game, recording her first WTA victory since January and breaking her nine-match losing streak.
Kenin will face world No.8 Ons Jabeur in the second round of the tournament, with the pair’s past playing record sitting in favour of the American – with Kenin winning five from their seven tour-level matches.
If Kenin is to record her sixth career win over Jabeur on Friday (AEST) she will likely face England’s Katie Boulter in the third round.
Meanwhile, Japan’s Naomi Osaka made her first appearance at the Rome Open since 2021, defeating France’s Clara Burel in straight sets.
The former world No.1’s return marked her first win for several years on clay against a top 50 opponent, with her last such victory coming against Victoria Azarenka at the French Open in 2019.
Osaka’s world ranking has spiralled since she left the circuit to have her first child, with the Japanese star currently ranked 173.
“I thought the first set was really tough. I’m really glad I was able to close it in two,” said Osaka.
“Overall I think mentally I tried to stay as strong as I can, so I’m really happy about that.”
