Petra Kvitová lost the first set 6-1 before dropping just two games in the next two sets to progress to the second round in Rome ©Getty Images

The Czech Republic's Petra Kvitová came from a set down to advance to the second round of the Italian Open, while fellow Grand Slam champion Iga Świątek of Poland faced an early deficit before profiting from an injury-enforced retirement.

American Alison Riske, playing just her fourth event of the season after struggles with a left foot injury, established a 4-1 lead against Świątek in Rome.

But the world number 27 succumbed to a recurrence of the injury and was forced to retire with 15th seed and reigning French Open champion Świątek leading 5-4.

Świątek’s compatriot Magda Linette threatened to pull off an opening-round upset as she lost just one game in a dominant first set against Kvitová.

But the two-time Wimbledon champion roared back to win the next two sets in emphatic fashion and complete a 1-6, 6-0, 6-2 triumph.

Kvitová will next face former world number two Vera Zvonareva of Russia, who defeated American Christina McHale 6-3, 6-0 in the clash of the qualifiers.

Coco Gauff of the United States overcame Kazakhstan's Yulia Putintseva 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 in a two hours and 57 minutes, while Latvia’s Anastasija Sevastova defeated Switzerland’s Jil Teichmann 3-6, 6-1, 6-3 in just shy of two hours.

Croatia’s Petra Martić and Greece’s Maria Sakkari also came through three-set tussles.

Martić triumphed 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 against American Shelby Rogers, while Sakarri outlasted Slovenia’s Polona Hercog in a 7-6 (8-6), 3-6, 6-2 success.

Coco Gauff was pushed to the limits in a three-hour battle before emerging victorious ©Getty Images
Coco Gauff was pushed to the limits in a three-hour battle before emerging victorious ©Getty Images

There were also straight-set victories for American trio Jessica Pegula, Jessica Brady and Amanda Anisimova.

In the men’s event, Italy’s Jannik Sinner set up a blockbuster second-round clash against nine-time champion Rafael Nadal of Spain.

Sinner recorded his 20th match win of the season by moving past Frenchman Ugo Humbert 6-2, 6-4.

Aslan Karatsev joined Sinner, Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas and fellow Russian Andrey Rublev in reaching 20 wins this season when he defeated Serbian Miomir Kecmanović 7-6 (7-2), 6-4.

Karatsev will now face compatriot and third seed Daniil Medvedev in the second round.

Japan’s Kei Nishikori got off to a strong start in both sets to beat home favourite Fabio Fognini 6-3, 6-4 in 80 minutes.

Chile’s Cristian Garin built on his quarter-final run at the Madrid Open with a 7-5, 6-2 victory over South Africa’s Lloyd Harris.

Argentina’s Federico Delbonis joined Garin in the second round with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-0 comeback win against Russian Karen Khachanov.

Taylor Fritz of the US ended his three-match losing streak with a commanding performance to beat Britain’s Dan Evans 6-3, 6-2.

Five-time champion and world number one Novak Djokovic of Serbia is Fritz’s next opponent at Foro Italico.