The best national racquet, Solana Sierra, was unable to take advantage of her good form this season and lost to Romanian Elena Ruse by 6-2 and 7-5. Meanwhile, Lourdes Carlé, the previous holder of that top spot, also failed to defeat Australian Maya Joint, who won 6-3 and 6-1.
The match took place at the Grand Stand Arena at 5:00 PM. Among the Argentines who could not advance past the first qualifying round was Thiago Tirante, who lost to Carreño Busta and retired while trailing 2-1 in the second set to prevent injuries before Roland Garros.
After a match lasting over two and a half hours, Federico Gómez lost to Frenchman Valentin Royer by 4-6, 6-4, and 5-7, extending his losing streak in singles tournaments. Juan Pablo Ficovich faced Kazakh Alexander Shevchenko and could not cope with his game, being defeated 6-4 and 6-4.
On the women's side, Argentine action concluded without positive results. Argentine tennis players Juan Manuel Cerúndolo and Román Burruchaga were the only national representatives to advance in the first qualifying round of the Masters 1000 in Rome and are one step away from entering the main draw.
Cerúndolo qualified after defeating Frenchman Pierre Herbert, while Burruchaga overcame Colombian Daniel Galán. Those who could not advance were Thiago Tirante, Federico Gómez, and Juan Pablo Ficovich on the men's side, as well as Solana Sierra and Lourdes Carlé on the women's side.
Juan Manuel Cerúndolo achieved a great victory against Herbert and is one match away from playing in the main draw in Rome. In a match that lasted just under two and a half hours, Román Burruchaga defeated Daniel Galán 6-4, 2-6, and 6-3, securing his first victory in a Masters 1000 tournament and getting closer to being part of the main draw for the first time in his career.
To achieve this milestone, Burruchaga will have to face Spaniard Pablo Carreño Busta in his next match.
