We've got three third-round picks from the Italian Open today, and there's some genuinely interesting matchups to dig into. Who do you think makes it through?
Italian Open Predictions
Lorenzo Musetti vs Francisco Cerundolo
Head-to-head: Musetti 2-2 Cerundolo
A tied rivalry on clay between two players who were practically built for this surface, and with the crowd backing him in Rome, Musetti feels dangerous here. He's been playing some of his best tennis this season and on home soil he tends to raise his level a notch, which is saying something given how good his ball-striking already is on the slow red stuff.
Cerundolo is no pushover and he's capable of going deep at these events, but I think the home crowd and Musetti's form make the difference. Expect a long one though.
Prediction: Musetti in 3
Andrey Rublev vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Head-to-head: Rublev 2-0 Fokina
Rublev leads this one 2-0 and both wins came on clay, so there's a clear pattern here. ADF can be wildly entertaining but also wildly inconsistent, and against someone who hits as hard and flat as Rublev, the margin for error shrinks fast. The slow conditions in Rome should actually suit Rublev in the longer rallies, letting him set up his forehand the way he likes.
Hard to see this being competitive at all, even if it takes three sets to settle.
Prediction: Rublev in 3
Tommy Paul vs Luciano Darderi
Head-to-head: Paul 2-0 Darderi
Darderi is Italian-born and always gets a warm reception in Rome, and on clay he's a genuinely tricky opponent, but Paul has handled him twice already and I feel like the American's variety and net game give him a real edge on this surface. Paul has become so good at not panicking in long rallies and finding the right moment to change pace and that should be enough to get through here, all things considered.
Prediction: Paul in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
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