Two-time women's champion Elina Svitolina has crashed out of the Italian Open, while a knee injury has forced Serena Williams to pull out of the tournament.
Fifth seed Svitolina lost 6-4,1-6, 7-5 against Victoria Azarenka in the second round, while Serena announced her withdrawal just before her match against older sister Venus.
Czech fourth seed Karolína Plisková also advanced to the third round along with Australian eighth seed Ashleigh Barty.
In the men's competition, world no. 5 Alexander Zverev suffered a shock 7-5, 7-5 defeat to Italian wildcard Matteo Berrettini, while Belgian David Goffin rallied from a set down to beat Stan Wawrinka 4-6, 6-0, 6-2.
Ninth seed Marin Cilic, seventh seed Juan Martin Del Potro, Australian Nick Kyrgios and Portugal's Joao Sousa are also through to the second round.
American great Serena Williams will face Australian 20-year-old Maya Joint in the first round of her eagerly awaited return to Wimbledon, a potentially tricky tie for the seven-time champion playing at the tournament for the first time since 2022.
Australia booked their spot in the knockout rounds of the World Cup on Thursday after a cagey draw against Paraguay, who are set to qualify as a third-placed finisher, while Turkey beat USA 3-2, scoring the winner with virtually the last kick of the match.
The Netherlands scored two goals in the first seven minutes of the first half en route to a 3-1 victory over Tunisia on Thursday night in Kansas City in Group F, while Japan and Sweden drew 1-1 in Texas.
Ecuador coach Sebastian Beccacece said all Ecuadoreans have a lot to celebrate on Thursday after the country's biggest World Cup result ever, coming from behind to beat Germany 2-1 and advance to the knockout stage.
New Zealand took control of the third Test at Trent Bridge with Tom Latham and Devon Conway setting a record partnership for the Kiwis against England on Thursday.
His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, has held a phone call with Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss the latest regional developments.
Minister of State, Lana Nusseibeh, has underlined that "Gulf consultation, inclusion and participation is a necessary condition" in Iran peace talks during a Joint Ministerial Meeting of the GCC and the US in Bahrain.
Etihad Rail has launched a nationwide campaign inviting the public to nominate the first passenger to travel on its inaugural passenger service when trains begin operating on June 30.