Simona Waltert def. Yuliia Starodubtseva 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 — Italian Open 2026 R128

Match recap

Simona Waltert defeated Yuliia Starodubtseva 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 in the R128 of the Italian Open 2026.

World No. 91 Simona Waltert erased the gap to No. 57 Yuliia Starodubtseva on the return, converting 9 of 16 break points and winning 61% of second-serve return points to take the decider 6-1. The serve underpinned it — Waltert landed 72% of first serves to Starodubtseva's 55% and saved 7 of 14 break points. After dropping the second set, she lost serve just once across the final six games to close out the first meeting between the pair.

Match stats

Yuliia Starodubtseva: 0 aces, 55% first serves, 3 double faults, 7/14 break points. Simona Waltert: 0 aces, 72% first serves, 3 double faults, 9/16 break points.

Profiles: Yuliia Starodubtseva · Simona Waltert — Italian Open 2026

Head-to-head

This is the first meeting between Yuliia Starodubtseva and Simona Waltert.