A couple of semi-final picks from Rome today, and both matches are more interesting than the seedings suggest. Who do you think makes it through to the final?
Italian Open Predictions
Casper Ruud vs Luciano Darderi
Head-to-head: First meeting
Ruud is the obvious favorite here, and his clay record speaks for itself, three Roland Garros finals and consistently one of the best results-per-event ratios on the dirt of anyone on tour. But Darderi has been playing some of the best tennis of his career this week and reaching a Masters semi-final at rank 22 isn't a fluke.
That said, Ruud has been through big clay matches so many times that he just doesn't panic when things get tight and I think that experience is the difference in a match that could easily go three sets. Darderi will make it competitive, but Ruud knows how to close these out.
Prediction: Ruud in 3
Martin Landaluce vs Daniil Medvedev
Head-to-head: First meeting
Landaluce reaching a Masters semi-final at rank 99 is genuinely one of the stories of the clay swing, and credit where it's due. But Medvedev is a completely different problem. His clay game has quietly gotten much better over the last couple of years, and he's become so good at not panicking in long rallies, which is exactly what Landaluce will try to drag him into.
Hard to see this being competitive at all. Landaluce will have moments, but the gap in experience and quality at this stage of a big tournament is just too wide.
Prediction: Medvedev in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Massimo Insabato/Mondadori Portfolio via ZUMA Press