Day 3 at the ATP Masters 1000 in Rome will see the debut of the seeds in the bottom half of the draw, with two-time former champion Alexander Zverev heading a star studded lineup that promises plenty of high quality tennis this Friday in the Italian capital.
ATP Rome Day 3 Predictions
Casper Ruud vs Zachary Svajda
Head-to-head: first meeting
Ruud’s title defense in Madrid came to a disappointing end with a straight set loss to Alexander Blockx in the quarterfinals that saw his ranking drop to #25. He will be looking to find his best tennis again in Rome and Roland Garros and, at least on paper, he has a kind draw here against Svajda, who, aside from being much lower ranked, doesn’t particularly enjoy playing on clay.
Prediction: Ruud in 2
Learner Tien vs Damir Dzumhur
Head-to-head: first meeting
While Tien is the far better player at this point in their respective careers and has a lot of upside, clay is the one surface where Dzumhur will really fancy his chances in this matchup. Tien hasn’t really come to grips with this surface yet, while Dzumhur is a seasoned veteran on it and might well find a way to frustrate the young American here.
Prediction: Dzumhur in 3
Jiri Lehecka vs Jan-Lennard Struff
Head-to-head: Lehecka 2-0 Struff
After injury derailed his progress in the recent past, Lehecka seems to be finally fulfilling his potential in 2026, getting consistently good results and steadily closing in on the Top 10. Struff can be a tough opponent for just about anyone on his day, but at this point you expect Lehecka to be able to win this kind of matchup with relative ease.
Prediction: Lehecka in 2
Alexander Zverev vs Daniel Altmaier
Head-to-head: Zverev 3-1 Altmaier
Zverev is having a great 2026 so far, with 26 match wins already and three semifinals and one final in the four Masters 1000 played so far, with every run ending at the hands of Jannik Sinner. Given the level he has been showing this year, there is no reason to believe he won’t make another big run at a tournament he has already won twice in 2017 and 2024.
Prediction: Zverev in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
