The good, bad & ugly: A tumultuous week in Rome

From the dizzying heights of maiden Masters titles, to the depths of Grand Slam rejection, the last seven days in the world of tennis were a bewildering array of emotions. We round up the best – and worst – of a week in Rome.

Good week

Alexander Zverev: The youngest Masters 1000 winner since Novak Djokovic at Miami in 2007, the first player born in the 1990s to collect a Masters 1000 title, and a result that elevates him into the world’s Top 10. Good week? It was a bloody brilliant week for Alexander Zverev in Rome. The much-vaunted #NextGen star proved to the world (and, more importantly, himself) that he really does belong with the ‘big’ boys of world tennis.

RELATED: Alexander Zverev – a world No.1 in the making?

Elina Svitolina: A bit like Zverev, everyone knew that Svitolina was a threat in Rome, but few expected her to go and win the thing. The Ukranian did, scooping her fourth tournament of the year, and cementing herself as one of the favourites for the French Open crown. That she beat Simona Halep (arguably the favourite for that crown) merely underlines those credentials.

Novak Djokovic: There was a time when Novak Djokovic losing a match would drop him into the ‘Bad Week’ category. But times they are changing, and Novak had the kind of week that he so desperately needed. Yes, he lost to Zverev, but there is no shame in that. Instead, we should be focusing on the fact that he destroyed both Dominic Thiem and Juan Martin del Potro, and his form seems to be going in the right direction.

RELATED: Andre Agassi to coach Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros

Bad week

Andy Murray: Just when you thought things couldn’t get much worse for the world No.1’s form and confidence, they did. Admittedly, when Fabio Fognini is in inspired mode he can go toe to toe with the very best. But the way the Italian dismissed Murray was as surprising as it is worrying, particularly given the juggernaut of expectation coming his way in a couple of weeks time.

Angelique Kerber: This was the week that was supposed to confirm Kerber’s place at the top of the pile. After all, with Serena set to lose a raft of points at Roland Garros, Kerber is guaranteed a decent stretch at No.1. The problem for Angie is that she isn’t playing very well. Not very well at all. Beaten by a qualifier in Rome, Kerber goes into the French Open seemingly bereft of form, motivation and expectation – the three things every No.1 should have in abundance.

Ugly week

Maria Sharapova: Poor old Maria. Love her or hate her, you have to admit she enjoyed a bumpy ride over the last seven days. First there was the news that she wouldn’t be getting a Roland Garros wildcard, then came the injury and resultant withdrawal from Rome, that was followed by the realisation that she could no longer qualify for Wimbledon main draw, and finally there was the news she has opted to go through Wimbledon qualifying (presumably preferring that over suffer the ignominy of being snubbed by a second Grand Slam). An ugly week indeed.