It’s Day 2 of the ATP Italian Open in Rome as the first-round action draws to a close. There will be plenty of matches on the slate on Thursday including a Santiago rematch between Nicolas Jarry and Yannick Hanfmann. Who do you think will come out on top?
ATP Rome Day 2 Predictions
Stefano Napolitano vs Alex Molcan
Head-to-head: first meeting
Qualifying for the event is definitely a career highlight for the 555th-ranked Italian Stefano Napolitano, who shocked former Top 50 player Maximilian Marterer in the second round of qualifying. But even in a near-partisan atmosphere, he’ll be no match for Alex Molcan, whose topspin forehand is such a devastating weapon on this surface.
Prediction: Molcan in 2
Guido Pella vs Maxime Cressy
Head-to-head: first meeting
Since making his Tour-level debut at the 2020 US Open, Maxime Cressy is on his worst run of form this year. His old school, serve-and-volley style has been ineffective thus far, losing all three matches he has contested on clay (seven in a row including hard courts). Opponents have found ways to problem-solve this matchup. Guido Pella last featured on the ATP Tour at the Miami Masters where he was beaten in three sets by Denis Shapovalov. But assuming his absence last month is not in any way related to a recurrence of the chronic knee injury that kept him from competing last year, he’ll outrun the American. Pella’s lefty serve to Cressy’s backhand will also prove a handful.
Prediction: Pella in 3
Marco Cecchinato vs Mackenzie McDonald
Head-ot-head: McDonald 1-0 Cecchinato
Mackenzie McDonald had match points at last month’s Madrid Open but spurned the opportunity of returning to winning ways. He ended up losing in a helter-skelter of a match in a third-set tiebreak against Zapata Miralles. He played at the Cagliari Challenger this past week, but that decision bore no fruit as the American lost for the fifth match in a row. Cecchinato hasn’t played a main draw match in Rome in three years, so getting a result here seems more primary than the performance. However, the Italian will most likely get both, having hit a purple patch on his beloved surface.
Prediction: Cecchinato in 2
Nicolas Jarry vs Yannick Hanfmann
Head-to-head: Jarry 2-0 Hanfmann
Jarry was touted as a potentially dangerous floater at Roland Garros at the end of the month. He was seemingly getting better with each passing week at this year’s Golden Swing, where he reached the semis in Rio and won his second ATP title in his home city of Santiago. But after an ignominious early exit in Madrid at the hands of Roman Safiullin many people have cast doubt on whether he can catch fire in Paris. And this matchup could have an upset written all over it. Hanfmann gave the Chilean one of his toughest bouts in his title run in Santiago and he might just capitalize on an off-color Jarry.
Prediction: Hanfmann in 3
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
