The 23-year-old Indian bagged the first set 6-2 in stunning fashion after breaking the Swiss heavyweight's serve to raise hopes of an upset win.
Sixth seed and world number 127 had to battle hard to prevail 5-7 7-6(4) 6-3 in two hours and 21-minute second-round contest of the Euro 137,560 clay-court event.
Forty “social distance ambassadors” will monitor the U.S. Open grounds to make sure players and others are avoiding close contact and wearing face coverings.
The Italian Open normally takes place during the second week in May, but the pandemic required the professional tennis calendar to be reshuffled, with several events suspended or reduced in scope.
The 22-year-old Indian, playing his first competitive match since his Davis Cup encounter against Croatia's Marin Cilic in March, had received a bye in the opening round.
Six of the top eight women in the WTA rankings won’t play in New York. No. 1 Ash Barty and defending champion Bianca Andreescu have also withdrawn from the tournament.
Japan's tennis star Kei Nishikori has tested positive for coronavirus and has pulled out of the Western and Southern Open.
Halep broke Mertens for a 6-5 lead in the final set before converting her first match point to win her second title this year after the Dubai Championships in February.
Halep secured her second berth in a final this season with a 7-6(2), 6-3 victory over compatriot Irina-Camelia Begu on Saturday.
Halep will seek her second final of this year against either compatriot Irina-Camelia Begu or Spain's Sara Sorribes Tormo.
Shelby Rogers, who is ranked 116th in the world, stunned Serena Williams in a thrilling clash at the Top Seed Open.
Halep, ranked No. 2, converted her first match point with a backhand winner to beat Frech, ranked 174.
The season-ending ATP Finals in London are still slated for Nov. 15-22, without spectators. But the ATP said Friday it “remains hopeful” that will change and some fans will be allowed to attend.
This year's edition of the tournament had been scheduled to start at the Foro Italico on May 11, but was called off because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Serena Williams came from a set behind to beat sister Venus Williams, entering the quarterfinals of the Top Seed Open.
The defending champions of both, men's and women's singles -- Rafael Nadal and Bianca Andreescu have now withdrawn from the 2020 US Open.
Djokovic initially complained about the U.S. Tennis Association’s plans to try to protect people from the coronavirus pandemic with such measures as limiting the size of players’ entourages, going so far as to say he didn’t know whether he would participate.
Gauff defeated Sabalenka 7-6(4), 2-6, 6-4 in a match that lasted for two hours and 48 minutes on Center Court on Wednesday.
Kristyna Pliskova delivered the biggest upset of the tournament so far as she ousted No.2 seed Petra Martic 6-1, 7-5 in one hour and 22 minutes.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion defeated Azarenka 6-3, 3-2 in a match that lasted for 80 minutes on Tuesday and extended her lead in their head-to-head rivalry to 6-2.
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