World number one Jannik Sinner has started his bid to win the Italian Open, the only Masters 1000 event he has not won.
A win in Rome would mean Sinner becomes only the second player after Novak Djokovic to complete a career Golden Masters of winning all nine Masters 1000 events.
Sinner defeated Sebastian Ofner in the second round.
Sinner’s Dominant Performance
Sinner swept aside Austria’s Ofner 6-3 6-4.
Sinner did not face a break point and dropped just six points behind his first serve.
“It’s been a very special tournament for me, starting with a wildcard back in the day,” Sinner said.
“Every year when you come here you reflect a little bit.
“I’m very happy to be here. Let’s see what’s coming in the next round.”
Sinner will face either 26th seed Jakub Mensik – the only player other than Djokovic to beat him this year – or Australia’s Alexei Popyrin next.
Sinner has not lost at a Masters 1000 event since Shanghai in October 2025 and has won 58 of his past 60 sets at this level.
Norrie Out as British Hopes Fade
British number one Cameron Norrie lost to Argentina’s Thiago Agustin Tirante in the second round.
The 17th seed lost 6-3 7-5 to Tirante, who is ranked at a career-best 69th in the world.
Norrie lost his first service game and swiftly trailed 3-0 in the first set, which Tirante served out in 34 minutes.
Tirante broke for 6-5 in the second set, and then delivered a match-clinching service game to love.
The exit of Norrie ends British involvement in the singles in Rome, after Katie Boulter lost to Germany’s Eva Lys in the first round.
Jack Draper, Emma Raducanu and Sonay Kartal are absent from the tournament with various injury and illness issues.
Tirante will face Italy’s 10th seed Flavio Cobolli in the third round.
With Alcaraz out of the French Open with injury, it is difficult to see who will stop Sinner completing a career Grand Slam in Paris later this month.