Karin Knapp had a successful start in Rome

The game started with a break against Knapp. But the 27-year-old from Luttach was able to straighten out this slip-up against the world number 81 and immediately ensured the re-break. Afterwards, both “Azzurre” served their serve. When the score was 3:3, Schiavone wobbled a lot, but Knapp was unable to take advantage of five break points.

The South Tyrolean did better in the eighth game. Knapp pulled ahead to 5:3, but in return received the rebreak to make it 4:5. Nevertheless, the Ahrntal native won the first set when she was able to take the service from the 34-year-old for the third time and put it on 6.4.

First break, then six games in a row

In the second set, Knapp had to immediately give up her serve, only to then equalize with a break and move away to 2-1. In the fourth game Knapp had six break opportunities before she made it 3:1 and then on her own serve with the fourth game in a row she made it 4:1.

The 5:1, in which Knapp stole the service from her compatriot for the third time in a row, was the decision. After 1:39 hours of play, Karin Knapp converted the first match point for a 6:4, 6:1 success against Schiavone.

Knapp's reaction to the first round victory

"I was very nervous at the beginning of the game. In some crucial moments I could have done better. But I'm glad that I got the win. I have a lot of respect for Francesca Schiavone and I feel sorry for her "that I threw her out of the tournament," said Karin Knapp in an interview with Supertennis.

In the second round, Karin Knapp will face Czech Petra Kvitova. The world number four had a bye at the start. "I played against them on hard court last year. I might have better chances on clay than on hard court. Every game has to be played first," Knapp concluded.

Dolomiten editor Stefan Peer saw the game live on site

Knapp was focused, motivated and really fit. Many viewers kept their fingers crossed for her, after all she is half Roman. Despite a few mistakes and many missed break points, she never let herself get discouraged and knew that she would win if she implemented her powerful game. She succeeded. She has nothing to lose against Kvitova. That's probably the only good thing.

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Karin Knapp had a successful start in Rome

Karin Knapp moved into the second round of the Internazionali d'Italia in Rome on Monday afternoon. The world number 51 beat compatriot Francesca Schiavone 6:4, 6:1.

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