Practice English with NewsPractice with News
Sports140 words1 min read

US Open Qualifiers: Italian Players Chase Main Draw Spot

Cyclists ride past flags of usa, uk, and italy
Photo by Sue Winston on Unsplash

The US Open is a big tennis tournament. Before the main event, players must win qualifying matches.

Three Italian players won their matches. They are Grant, Bronzetti, and Stefanini.

One Italian player lost her match. Her name is Pigato. She is now out of the tournament.

Many Italian players are playing in the qualifiers. They want to reach the main draw.

The main draw is the real tournament. Only winners from qualifying can play in it.

Seventeen Italians are trying to reach the main draw. This is a lot of players from one country.

Two other Italian players, Nardi and Cinà, played against each other. This is called a derby. It means two players from the same country play each other.

People can watch these matches live on TV. Fans are excited to see how the Italians do.

Vocabulary7 words

qualifying
matches you must win before the big tournament
out
not in the tournament anymore; lost
main draw
the real, big part of a tournament
derby
a match between two players from the same country
tournament
a big sports competition with many players
live
happening now, shown on TV at the same time
eliminated
out of the competition after losing

Quiz

1. How many Italian players won their qualifying matches, according to the text?
2. What happened to Pigato?
3. How many Italians are trying to reach the main draw?

Fill-in-the-blank listening

Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.

The US Open is a big tennis _____. Before the main event, players must win _____ matches.

Three Italian players won their matches. They are Grant, Bronzetti, and _____.

One Italian player lost her match. Her name is Pigato. She is now _____ of the tournament.

Many Italian players are playing in the qualifiers. They want to reach the _____.

The main draw is the real tournament. Only winners from qualifying can play in it.

_____ Italians are trying to reach the main draw. This is a lot of players from one country.

Two other Italian players, Nardi and Cinà, played against each other. This is called a _____.

People can watch these matches _____ on TV.

More Sports stories