Players such as Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz will not compete due to injuries. However, Rafael Nadal will return to Rome after missing the tournament in 2023. Also present are Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev and Casper Ruud and others.
Analysis of the drawing:
First quarter:
Ranked players: (1) Novak Djokovic, (5) Casper Ruud, (12) Ben Shelton, (16) Karen Khachanov, (19) Francisco Cerundolo, (20) Adrian Mannarino, (29) Alexandre Tabilo, (32) Jordan Thompson
Expected quarter-finals: Novak Djokovic vs. Casper Ruud
Analysis: Novak Djokovic hasn’t been at his best this year, but we can still expect him to have an impressive tournament in Rome considering his level. The Serb will be able to reach the fourth round without any problem, where his opponent will be either Francisco Serundolo or Karen Khachanov.
Both players do well on clay, but Djokovic can beat either one and reach the quarterfinals of the Italian Open.
On the other side of the draw are Casper Ruud and Ben Shelton and it could well be a battle between the two of them for a place in the quarter-finals. The Norwegian is a superb player on clay and should be able to beat the American and reach the quarter-finals of the Italian Open.
Ruud could face Djokovic in the quarter-finals and given his recent form, there is a good chance that Kasper will beat the Serbian again to reach the semi-finals in Rome.
Prediction for the quarter-finals: Casper Ruud wins victory over Novak Djokovic
Second quarter:
Ranked players: (3) Alexander Zverev, (8) Grigor Dimitrov, (11) Taylor Fritz, (15) Alexander Bublik, (23) Tallon Grickspoor, (24) Sebastian Korda, (26) Lorenzo Musetti, (28) Mariano Navone
Expected quarter-finals: Alexander Zverev – Taylor Fritz
Analysis: Alexander Zverev is one of the title contenders at the Italian Open and has a fairly favorable draw heading into the fourth round. Next, he will most likely meet Alexander Bublik, although Tallon Grickspoor is not expected to be written off.
Zverev should be able to beat Bublik and reach the quarterfinals of the Italian Open with his superior clay court skills.
On the other side of the board are Taylor Fritz, Grigor Dimitrov and Sebastian Korda. While all three are formidable opponents, it could ultimately come down to a fourth-round clash between Fritz and Dimitrov. The American seems to be the favorite.
Predictions for the quarterfinals: Alexander Zverev beats Taylor Fritz
Third quarter:
Ranked players: (4) Andrey Rublev, (6) Stefanos Tsitsipas, (9) Alex de Minaur, (13) Hugo Humbert, (18) Felix Auger-Aliassime, (21) Nicholas Harry, (27) Cameron Norrie, (31) Arthur Son
Expected quarter-finals: Andreï Rublev – Stefanos Tsitsipas
Andrey Rublev is in this quarter and will face either Marcos Giron or Emil Ruusuvuori in the second round. Then the Russian will most likely meet Arthur Fils in the third round and is expected to achieve another victory.
In the fourth round, Rublev will most likely be able to play with Hugo Humbert, who has been in pretty good shape lately. However, the Russian will have morale boosted after his triumph in Madrid and is expected to reach the quarter-finals of the Italian Open.
In the other half of this quarter are Stefanos Tsitsipas, as well as Alex de Minaur and Madrid runner-up Felix Auger-Aliassime. The Greek should easily reach the fourth round in Rome, and here his opponent will most likely be Auger-Aliassime, although De Minaur is not expected to be written off.
Tsitsipas is likely to win and reach the quarterfinals of the Italian Open. Here he will meet Rublev, and if the Russian is in good shape, he will be able to emerge victorious from this confrontation.
Prediction for the quarter-finals: Victory for Andrey Rublev over Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Fourth trimester:
Ranked players: (2) Daniil Medvedev, (7) Hubert Hurkacz, (10) Holger Rune, (14) Tommy Paul, (17) Sebastian Baez, (22) Francis Tiafoe, (25) Thomas Martin Echeverri, (30) Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Expected quarterfinal: Rafael Nadal vs. Alejandro Davidovich Fokin
Analysis: This will probably be the most interesting quarter of the tournament as it will feature Rafael Nadal and defending champion Daniil Medvedev. The Spaniard will play the first round and could face Hubert Hurkacs if he advances to the second.
Nadal has a very difficult draw since his future opponents are Hubert Hurkacz and Thomas Martin Echeverry. However, if the 37-year-old tennis player is at his best, he can beat them and reach the fourth round. Here he will most likely fight Holger Rune. Even if the Dane is a very good player on clay, Nadal’s mentality should allow him to reach the quarter-finals.
On the other side of the bracket is reigning champion Daniil Medvedev. In the second round, the Russian will face either Jack Draper or Borna Coric. He should be able to defeat either one and advance to the third round, where his opponent will most likely be Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
The Spaniard is a good player on clay and Medvedev may not be in his best form after being injured in Madrid, so the Russian could struggle in this match and lose.
At the Italian Open, the Spanish match between Nadal and Davidovich Fokina in the 1/4 finals and here Nadal should be the favorite.
Prediction for the quarter-finals: Rafael Nadal defeats Davidovich Fokina
Predictions for the semi-finals:
Casper Ruud defeats Alexander Zverev
Andrey Rublev will beat Rafael Nadal
Final forecast: Andrey Rublev will beat Casper Ruud.
Vyacheslav Gorbachev, Athletistic
Source: Sport
I’m Rose Brown , a journalist and writer with over 10 years of experience in the news industry. I specialize in covering tennis-related news for Athletistic, a leading sports media website. My writing is highly regarded for its quick turnaround and accuracy, as well as my ability to tell compelling stories about the sport.
