Daniel Evans and Fabio Fognini will kick off the evening session on Wednesday at the Italian Open. The Brit has been struggling hard this season, but it’s not like Fognini is at the peak of his powers right now. Who do you think will prevail at ATP Rome?
ATP Rome Day 1 Predictions
Diego Schwartzman vs Aleksandar Vukic
Head-to-head: Schwartzman 1-0
Diego Schwartzman has recently announced he will be retiring from the sport in Buenos Aires next year. With the Argentinian unwilling to go back to the Challenger grind, he kind of didn’t have any other choice. He still hasn’t won a single match on the main tour this year (he’s posted 7 wins, all in qualifying). This might be when he gets one, though, as Aleksandar Vukic is really out of form and on his least preferred surface. It’s now or never for Schwartzman.
Prediction: Schwartzman in 2
Zhizhen Zhang vs Daniel Elahi Galan
Head-to-head: Galan 1-0
This is an interesting one, with both players struggling to find their rhythm late. Zhizhen Zhang failed to defend his Madrid quarterfinal points, and while the draw was pretty tough, he didn’t even put up a fight against Miomir Kecmanovic in the opening round. Daniel Elahi Galan was in the Cagliari semifinals last week but got there mostly thanks to a Marton Fucsovics walkover and was blown off the court by Lorenzo Musetti. Someone will post an important victory at ATP Rome. It’s tough to say who.
Prediction: Zhang in 3
Matteo Gigante vs Giulio Zeppieri
Head-to-head: First meeting
Giulio Zeppieri would usually be a pretty solid favorite on clay here, but since March, he’s barely been healthy and retired after one tight set with Marton Fucsovics last week. Matteo Gigante is making progress even on his least favorite surface, and it will be a nice clash between his creativity and Zeppieri’s powerful serve and forehand combination. It’s tough to trust either Italian right now, but Gigante is in better physical shape. That might decide this pretty tight matchup.
Prediction: Gigante in 3
Daniel Evans vs Fabio Fognini
Head-to-head: Evans 1-0
Daniel Evans would barely be inside the Top 200 without his Washington points right now, as he’s 3-10 for the season. Needless to say, he needs to start grabbing wins quickly. This is a nice opportunity, as Fabio Fognini retired from Cagliari last week, but will the Italian find some magic at home? He’s the kind of player to step up in front of a big crowd, and the atmosphere will surely be a factor. As long as he can finish the match in decent shape, it’s Fognini who looks like the favorite right now.
Prediction: Fognini in 3
Main Photo Credit: Taya Gray/The Desert Sun/USA TODAY NETWORK
