The first round continues on day at ATP Rome, with 16 matches scheduled. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering predictions for every match, including Lorenzo Sonego vs Ignacio Buse and Denis Shapovalov vs Mariano Navone, but which players will advance to the second round at the Foro Italico?
ATP Rome Day 2 Predictions
Hamad Medjedovic vs Valentin Royer
Head-to-head: first meeting
Hamad Medjedovic has found form at the right time and arrives at the ATP Rome Masters fresh off a string of clay court wins and no doubt full of confidence. He will be looking to make his presence felt like he did in Barcelona where he reached the last four. Valentin Royer, meanwhile, has played most of his clay-court tennis at Challengers and has never won at this level. If Medjedovic is fit, he has the upper hand in this one.
Prediction: Medjedovic in 3
Terence Atmane vs Zizou Bergs
Head-to-head: first meeting
Both players have been in good form over the last month, making this one of the stronger first-round matches at this year’s Italian Open. Zizou Bergs reached the final of the Ain ex Provence Challenger last week and will be looking to register his first win at this tournament in conditions that should suit him. Terence Atmane made the most of his draw in Madrid, reaching the third round where he put up a good fight against Alexander Zverev. However, the slower conditions in Rome favour Bergs slightly more. The Belgian should have the edge.
Prediction: Bergs in 3
Roberto Bautista Agut vs Francesco Maestrelli
Head-to-head: first meeting
Former-world #9 Roberto Bautista Agut will be playing at the ATP Rome Masters for the last time and will be looking to extend his stay at the Foro Italico for as long as possible. He has not won a tour-level match on clay this season, but this looks like his best opportunity to do so. Wild card Francesco Maestrelli started the season strongly, but now finds himself in a horrible phase. He has lost his last eight matches and this form won’t cut it out against Bautista Agut, even if the Spaniard is not the player he once was.
Prediction: Bautista Agut in 3
Marin Cilic vs Marcos Giron
Head-to-head: Cilic 1-0 Giron
Former semifinalist Marin Cilic will make his 15th main draw appearance at the Italian Open and his first since 2022. Cilic withdrew from his second-round match against Joao Fonseca in Madrid due to food poisoning. He should be absolutely fine by now, and this looks like a good chance for the experienced Croatian to advance to the second round. Clay is Marcos Giron’s worst surface by a distance, and Cilic is good enough to handle the hardworking American.
Prediction: Cilic in 3
Main photo credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images
