Top Storylines to Follow at the 2015 Italian Open
There's no place quite like the Italian Open.
As the most prestigious clay tournament on the road to the French Open, it serves as both a key strategic fortress and a marvel of architectural design.
As the top men and women in the world slide around on Rome's notoriously slow red dirt, they'll be surrounded by marble statues of ancient athletes that loom larger than life.
But there's more to the event than just its picturesque setting. As the prelude to Roland Garros, the Italian Open is the last chance for tennis stars to build momentum.
And there will be plenty of drama in the forecast this week.
From champions who are looking to defend their crown to players who are trying to build off their recent momentum or even turn around their fates altogether, here are the top storylines to follow.
Maria Sharapova and Petra Kvitova Fight for Top Challenger Status
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Who is best-equipped to challenge Serena Williams over the next few weeks? The main contenders are a pair of former Grand Slam champions.
Maria Sharapova seemed to finally break out of her post Australian Open slump in Madrid, collecting impressive wins against Timea Bacsinszky, Caroline Garcia and Caroline Wozniacki. Granted, her week ended with a thud—a straight-sets loss to Svetlana Kuznetsova in the semifinals—but that run could be an elixir for her clay-court campaign.
Winning her third Italian Open title will be difficult, especially with Williams in her half of the draw. Still, Sharapova can reclaim her status as a top contender at the French Open—where she's also a two-time champion—with another strong week in Rome.
The player who is fighting her for position as the top challenger is Petra Kvitova. The Czech stormed to victory in Madrid, cruising past Williams and Kuznetsova for a much-needed title. After six weeks off to rest her mind and body, Kvitova looked rejuvenated on the Spanish clay.
A big-hitting lefty, she has no trouble matching anyone from the baseline. Though a less-accomplished player on the dirt, Kvitova will try to keep pace with Sharapova in Rome as both women aim to crash the Grand Slam party later this summer.
Roger Federer's Search for Momentum
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"Increasing inconsistency amid flourishes of brilliance" is the short summary of Roger Federer's 2015 season.
Despite titles in Brisbane, Dubai and Istanbul, Federer has suffered a string of disappointing losses, including his recent third-round exit in Monte Carlo and opening-match defeat in Madrid. Apart from his week in Turkey, the Swiss has looked out of sorts on clay.
Even Istanbul was far from a convincing victory. Needing three sets against Daniel Gimeno-Traver and Diego Schwartzman, Federer clawed his way to victory at the small tournament but relinquished that momentum with a stinging second-round loss in Madrid to Nick Kyrgios.
Pushed from the baseline and unable to find a rhythm on his return, the world No. 2 did little in that match to inspire hope before the French Open. But now is his last shot.
Rome, one of only two Masters events he hasn't won, hasn't been especially kind to him during his career. A three-time finalist (2003, 2006, 2013) here, Federer lost his opening match to Jeremy Chardy last year and has fallen before the fourth round in eight of his 14 appearances at the Italian Open.
With Tomas Berdych and Rafael Nadal roaming in his half of the draw, Federer will desperately need a few wins to head to the French Open with some semblance of momentum. Otherwise, he could be due for another early exit from Paris.
Andy Murray Looks to Continue Recent Clay Mastery
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Two clay titles in a week? Not bad for a player who had never before made a final on the surface.
Andy Murray has played like a natural on the dirt lately, capturing both Munich and Madrid. It's been quite the honeymoon for the newlywed Scot.
After his win in Munich, Murray took things up a notch last week, taking out Milos Raonic, Kei Nishikori and Rafael Nadal in succession. In that victory over Nadal—his first ever against the Spaniard on clay—Murray hit his backhand with uncanny precision and made quick work of his frequent tormenter.
As both Nadal and Roger Federer fight through their own struggles, Murray has asserted his place as the top threat to Novak Djokovic. Yet he may have to face the world No. 1 in Rome.
Murray's history at the Italian Open is anything but starry. He's advanced past the third round here just twice (2011, 2014), and he'll also have to contend with a tough draw. To even face Djokovic in the semifinals, Murray will have to survive a quarter that includes Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and David Ferrer.
Winning a third-straight clay tournament may not be likely for Murray. But he's demonstrated his ability lately to thrive on the surface. Brimming with self-belief, he'll be a tough out for any player.
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Serena Williams Goes for Third-Straight Title in Rome
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Serena Williams' unbeaten start to the 2015 season may be over, but her place atop women's tennis is secure as ever.
Even with her semifinals loss to Petra Kvitova in Madrid, Williams will enter Rome as the overwhelming favorite. A three-time champion (2002, 2013, 2014) at the event, she'll be more than ready to shake off her recent defeat and defend her throne.
Against Kvitova, Williams played her most lackluster match in some time. Yet it shouldn't stop her from putting together a strong result here. If anything, she may play more freely without the cloud of that long winning streak hanging over her.
With just a few weeks left until the French Open—where she lost in the second round last year—Williams will be eager to make amends and shine during this clay-court season. And that mission will kick into overdrive in Rome.
Rafael Nadal Tries to Break Slump
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The King of Clay is in a state of crisis.
His strong week in Madrid was overshadowed by an uncharacteristically flat and sloppy finals loss to Andy Murray. Shanking wayward forehands wide, into the net or well over the baseline, Nadal barely resembled the player who used to strike fear into every opponent on the dirt.
Now down to No. 7 in the world—his first time outside the Top Five since 2005—the Spaniard faces the toughest challenge of his career. And remedying the situation won't be so easy.
Already with four losses on clay this season, Nadal seems to be suffering from a lack of confidence. Injuries kept him off the court for much of 2014, and he's yet to recapture his old self. As the humbling defeats pile up, he's left frantically searching for answers.
As a seven-time champion (2005-2007, 2009-2010, 2012-2013) and nine-time finalist in Rome, Nadal should make another deep run this week. But for how much longer will he still earn the benefit of the doubt?
It's easy to assume Nadal can just flip a switch and rediscover himself in time for Roland Garros. Yet 2015 has proved even the mightiest fall at some point.
Maybe he has already entered a new stage in his career, one where tennis fans have to reassess their expectations. Or this could be the hardship that sparks a new fire within him. Either way, Nadal will need to turn things around in Rome or risk entering an even bigger hole at the French Open.
Novak Djokovic's French Open Quest Intensifies
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Novak Djokovic is back in action this week after skipping Madrid, but he’ll return with one clear goal in mind: getting ready for the French Open.
A three-time champion in Rome (2008, 2011, 2014), Djokovic should have no trouble finding his form quickly on the slow red clay. Before his brief sabbatical, the Serbian was crushing everyone in sight, putting together a 17-match win streak that culminated with the Monte Carlo title.
He’s made at least the quarterfinals here every year since 2007, so expect another deep run from the world No. 1. Though Kei Nishikori looms in the quarterfinals and Andy Murray could wait in the next round, Djokovic should pass either test and set up a potential final rematch against Rafael Nadal.
But even more important than defending his Roman crown will be staying healthy and building momentum. Djokovic has been adamant the last few months about his unrelenting ambition to win Roland Garros—the only major he’s yet to conquer—and he’ll look to leave Italy on a run of good form.
If he repeats as champion this week, he’ll head into Paris with supreme confidence.
All statistics are courtesy of ATPWorldTour.com and WTATennis.com unless otherwise noted.
Joe Kennard is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.
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