Sabalenka, champion Paolini open Italian Open accounts

Aryna Sabalenka breezed into the third round of the Italian Open on Thursday with a straight-sets win over Barbora Krejcikova, 6-2, 6-3.

World number one and favourite for the women's title in the Italian capital, Sabalenka took one hour and 25 minutes to see off Czech Krejcikova in the final match of the day on centre court.

Sabalenka has never won the Italian Open. Her run to the final two years ago, when she was lost to Iga Swiatek, her best result.

But with the French Open around the corner the Belorussian made no mistake against Krejcikova, a former Wimbledon and French Open champion.

Sabalenka lost the first game on her serve but from there comfortably dealt with Krejcikova to set up a match with Sorana Cirstea in the next round.

"I'm super happy to be through. She's a great player. We had a lot of tough matches in the past," Sabalenka said on court.

"I'm of course happy with the level I played and to get this tough win."

The top seed is on the same side of the draw as Coco Gauff, who beat Sabalenka in last year's French Open final and made short work of Tereza Valentova in her opening match of the tournament.

American star Gauff beat Valentova 6-3, 6-4 in one hour and 34 minutes in front of a sparsely-populated centre court, and will play Argentine Solana Sierra in the next round.

PAOLINI THROUGH

Earlier Jasmine Paolini launched her title defence by battling back from a set down to beat France's Leolia Jeanjean 6-7 (4/7), 6-2, 6-4.

Home hope Paolini is bidding to become the first Italian woman to retain the title in Rome, but started slowly at the Foro Italico.

The world number eight turned on the afterburners after going behind following an error-strewn first set, comfortably turning around the match to secure a spot in the third round, where she will meet Elise Mertens.

"This match was a bit of up and downs, for sure. But I remember last year, I mean, also a lot of up and downs during the tournament," said Paolini.