Four Italians Play in US Open Qualifying
Listen to the story
Four Italian tennis players are competing today in the qualifying rounds of the US Open, one of tennis's biggest tournaments. Live TV coverage begins at 17.40, although rain could delay or interrupt play.
Among the results, Lucia Bronzetti and Grant have already lost their matches and are now out of the competition. Stefanini, however, has advanced to the next round after a successful match.
The most anticipated match involves Cinà , who is just one step away from reaching the US Open's main draw, the final stage of the tournament where the top players compete. At 21.00, she will face her last obstacle: a Chinese player named Bu. A win here would send her into the main draw.
Qualifying tournaments like this one give players outside the top rankings a chance to earn a spot in a Grand Slam event. Matches can be affected by weather, especially since many are played outdoors, so today's schedule remains dependent on conditions permitting play to continue.
Vocabulary10 words
- qualifying
- early matches you must win before the big event
- coverage
- when TV shows an event to viewers
- advanced
- moved forward to the next round or stage
- main draw
- the real, final part of a tournament
- obstacle
- something that stands in your way
- permitting
- if something allows it to happen
- ranking
- a player's position based on results
- Grand Slam
- one of the four biggest tennis tournaments
- schedule
- the planned times for events
- anticipated
- expected with interest or excitement
Quiz
Answer key
1. Four 2. Win against Bu at 21.00 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Four Italian tennis players are competing today in the _____ rounds of the US Open, one of tennis's biggest tournaments. Live TV _____ begins at 17.40, although rain could delay or interrupt play.
Among the results, Lucia Bronzetti and Grant have already lost their matches and are now out of the competition. Stefanini, however, has _____ to the next round after a successful match.
The most anticipated match involves Cinà , who is just one step away from reaching the US Open's _____, the final stage of the tournament where the top players compete. At 21.00, she will face her last _____: a Chinese player named Bu.
Qualifying tournaments like this one give players outside the top _____ a chance to earn a spot in a _____ event. Matches can be affected by weather, especially since many are played outdoors, so today's _____ remains dependent on conditions _____ play to continue.
Discussion questions
- Why do tennis tournaments have qualifying rounds before the main event?
- How might rain affect a sports event like this?
- What do you think it feels like to be one match away from a Grand Slam main draw?
- Do you follow tennis or another sport closely? Why or why not?