The participation of 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic has given a huge boost to this year’s ATP Rome Masters, especially in the absence of Carlos Alcaraz. Djokovic will be in action against qualifier Dino Prizmic as he begins his preparation for the French Open. As always, we at LWOT will offer predictions for every match on the slate, but who will advance?
ATP Rome Day 3 Predictions
Ugo Humbert vs Vit Kopriva
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Clay is Ugo Humbert’s worst surface by far, and it has shown in his results. He has only won one match on dirt this season, against Moise Kouame, who was ranked outside the top 300 at the time. With the French Open approaching, Humbert needs some rhythm to perform well at his home Slam. However, he has a tough draw once again. Vit Kopriva has won many matches on clay this season and comes to ATP Rome on the back of a great run in Madrid. I am backing the Czech player to win this one.
Prediction: Kopriva in 3
Francisco Cerundolo vs Alejandro Tabilo
Head-to-Head: Cerundolo 0-1 Tabilo
Alejandro Tabilo had a great week in France, winning the Aix-en-Provence Challenger and beating some quality opponents. He continued that momentum in the first round and easily defeated Pablo Carreno Busta. On his finest days, Francisco Cerundolo is a top clay court player, but his confidence has been shaky in recent times, and he can’t afford anything less than his best performance to beat an in-form Tabilo. I expect a battle, and will back the underdog here.
Prediction: Tabilo in 3
Rafael Jodar vs Nuno Borges
Head-to-Head: first meeting
19-year-old Rafael Jodar has been one of the best players on clay this season, which is hard to believe for a player playing his first full season on tour. Jodar’s rise in rankings has been unreal, and it will take something special from Nuno Borges to stop this teenager. Borges has struggled this season, and in his current form, I don’t see him challenging the young Spaniard.
Prediction: Jodar in 2
Novak Djokovic vs Dino Prizmic
Head-to-Head: Djokovic 1-0 Prizmic
Six-time champion Novak Djokovic will make his 19th Italian Open main draw appearance and also his first clay match of the season. ATP Rome has been Djokovic’s most successful clay-court tournament, and he will look to secure some match wins and build momentum heading into the French Open. However, it won’t be easy against an in-form Dino Prizmic, who is playing with so much confidence right now and has competed well against Djokovic in the past. Djokovic hasn’t played in a while and might struggle initially before finding his feet.
Prediction: Djokovic in 3
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane – USA TODAY Sports
