The ATP Rome Masters kicks off with some intriguing matches and, as always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate on the opening day at the Foro Italico. It should be an entertaining day of tennis, but who will book their spot in the second round in the Italian capital?
ATP Rome Day 1 Predictions
Christopher Eubanks vs Terence Atmane
Head-to-head: first meeting
Christopher Eubanks has not been very successful in the last few events. First-round exits have been par for the course for the big serving American. Terence Atmane, on the other hand, has not made it through qualifying before arriving at the ATP Rome Masters. Qualifiers are dangerous in the first round, however, and Eubanks is perhaps particularly vulnerable. Still, his power should ensure that Eubanks has the measure of the Frenchman
Prediction: Eubanks in 3
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Nuno Borges vs Pedro Martinez
Head-to-head: first meeting
Nuno Borges comes into Rome on the back of a couple of quarterfinal finishes as well as some first-round exits. The Portuguese was seventh seed at the Calgiari Challenger last week, making the quarterfinals. Pedro Martinez, meanwhile, has made a final at tour-level this season, but back in April at Estoril. Aside from that, there have been few bright spots with the Spaniard knocked out in the first round with worrying frequency.
Prediction: Borges in 2
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Yoshihito Nishioka vs Sebastian Ofner
Head-to-head: first meeting
Yoshihito Nishioka suffered first-round exits at the last two tour-level events he played in, and things were not that much better for him when he dropped down to Challenger-level in Cagliari – he was defeated there by Portugal’s Borges in the second round. Sebastian Ofner made the second round in Barcelona, but since then got no further than the first round. With neither man exactly in sparkling form, Nishioka might just have enough to advance.
Prediction: Nishioka in 3
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Corentin Moutet vs Roman Safiullin
Head-to-head: Safiullin 1-0 Moutet
Corentin Moutet has come through qualifying to make the main draw here in Rome, as he did in Madrid and Monte Carlo. That is an impressive run of form in the qualifying, but the Frenchman has not yet advanced any further than the first round in the main draw. Roman Safiullin made the main draw directly and also made the semifinals at the Provence Challenger last week. The last time Moutet and Safiullin met was on grass at Wimbledon last year, which the Russian took in straight sets. Expect a similar outcome this time around.
Prediction: Safiullin in 2
Main photo credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
