ROME — Top-ranked Jannik Sinner passed a big test on his return from a three-month doping ban, beating accomplished clay-court player Francisco Cerundolo 7-6 (2),6-3 on Tuesday to reach the quarterfinals at the Rome Open.

Top-ranked Jannik Sinner passed a big test in his return from a three-month doping ban, beating accomplished clay-court player Francisco Cerundolo 7-6 (2), 6-3 on Tuesday to reach the Italian Open quarterfinals.

British number one Jack Draper is knocked out of the Italian Open as Carlos Alcaraz shows his quality under pressure to reach the semi-finals.

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV has made peace with Jannik Sinner. The top-ranked tennis player visited the new pope on Wednesday, gave him a tennis racket and offered to play, during an off day for Sinner at the Italian Open.

On the heels of having his MLB fandom confirmed last week, Pope Leo XIV's sports credentials keep getting stronger after a meeting with the best men's tennis player in the world.

The new pontiff received the Italian tennis star ranked No. 1 in the world by Association of Tennis Professionals in a room near the Vatican’s Paul VI Audience Hall.