As the first week at ATP Rome comes to an end, the players left in the field will be looking to secure their spot in the last 16 in the Italian capital. As always, we here at LWOT will be providing our predictions for all eight matches on day five at the Foro Italico, including Lorenzo Musetti vs Francisco Cerundolo. But who will book their spot in the last eight?

ATP Rome Day 5 Predictions

Karen Khachanov vs Botic van de Zandschulp

Head-to-head: Khachanov 1-1 van de Zandschulp

Both of these players are probably at their best on hard courts rather than on the clay. Botic van de Zandschulp looks to rely on his serve and aggressive baselining, while Karen Khachanov is a reliable counterpuncher, though he does have power from the baseline. Khachanov has had a hard time on clay so far this year, but he did have his most solid outing in his opening ATP Rome match, beating Alexander Shevchenko in straight sets. And while van de Zandschulp should enter this match with more confidence, having already played and won two matches in Rome, ultimately the slower conditions should give Khachanov enough time to get into his rhythm. Expect the Russian to edge out the Dutchman here.

Prediction: Khachanov in 3

Ugo Humbert vs Dino Prizmic

Head-to-head: first meeting

Ugo Humbert enters this match with the clear experience edge, but on clay, that is about it, as this is by far and away the Frenchman’s worst surface. Dino Prizmic, on the other hand, has once again started to show glimpses of his talent this year, which was fully on display in his comeback win against the great Novak Djokovic in the previous round. The only questions for him entering this match are whether he is physically 100% after that battle and whether he avoids a letdown after the biggest win of his career. If he manages both of those aspects, his advantage on this surface from both the baseline and return departments should be too big for Humbert to overcome.

Prediction: Prizmic in 3

Tommy Paul vs Luciano Darderi

Head-to-head: Paul 2-0 Darderi

This match at the ATP Rome Masters will likely be determined by whichever player dominates the baseline battle between two players who do their best work from the back of the court. Luciano Darderi is the more natural and willing clay-courter, using heavy topspin and his physicality to grind out matches, while Tommy Paul is the far more well-rounded player and has more tools in his bag – albeit slightly less weight of shot. While the crowd will be firmly behind Darderi, Paul should have enough answers for the questions that the Italian poses to extend his ATP Rome run and bounce back from the disappointment of an early exit in Madrid.

Prediction: Paul in 2

Alexander Zverev vs Alexander Blockx

Head-to-head: Zverev 1-0 Blockx

These two players faced off against each other just over a week ago in the semifinals of Madrid, where Alexander Blockx, after his career-best week, simply had no answers for the Alexander Zverev serve, losing in straight sets. Here at the ATP Rome Masters, Blockx should be able to make more headway on return, given there is no altitude advantage for the German. But that factor also means that Blockx’s aggressive baselining and reliance on his own serve will be tougher to execute. While Zverev, contrary to what he suggested after Madrid, is not currently on the same level as Alcaraz, he has still been playing consistently enough over the past few months to once again fend off the challenge of an up-and-coming youngster.

Prediction: Zverev in 2

Main photo credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images