2017 champion Alexander Zverev is seeded third at this year’s Italian Open. His first opponent will be Aleksandar Vukic, who defeated qualifier Diego Schwartzman in the opening round. Zverev beat him in straight sets at the US Open in 2023. Will it be the same result this time around at ATP Rome?
As always, we here at LWOT share our thoughts on all the matches. We split the day’s 16 matches between four articles. The other three articles feature Casper Ruud vs Miomir Kecmanovic, Taylor Fritz vs Fabio Fognini, and Novak Djokovic vs Corentin Moutet. Who do you think will advance?
ATP Rome Day 3 Predictions
Sebastian Korda vs Flavio Cobolli
Head-to-head: First meeting
Sebastian Korda was very close to taking out Daniil Medvedev in Madrid, really tightening up two points away from the win. In parts of that match, he looked pretty amazing, but we have to remember it’s a matchup that brings out the best in him. It’s not a guarantee that he’ll keep up that level in the slower conditions in Rome, especially against a competent player like Flavio Cobolli. The Italian might cherish this opportunity at home and have a game complete enough to cause Korda real issues.
Prediction: Cobolli in 3
Tallon Griekspoor vs Francesco Passaro
Head-to-head: First meeting
Francesco Passaro has been winning some crazy matches in Rome so far, including the three tie-break win over Duje Ajdukovic and three match points saved over two days against Arthur Rinderknech. It would be an incredible effort if he was able to keep this going against Tallon Griekspoor. But the Dutchman is not only stronger than his previous opponents, he can probably rely on a physical advantage here, too, after Passaro took so much time to even get to this round.
Prediction: Griekspoor in 3
Zhang Zhizhen vs Adrian Mannarino
Head-to-head: First meeting
Adrian Mannarino’s clay game seems to be getting worse and worse over the years. This season, so far, he was able to pick up four games each against Felix Auger-Aliassime and Richard Gasquet. That said, Zhang Zhizhen better not underestimate him. It’s still an opponent that will make you hit some uncomfortable shots, and you need to stay on point against him. But it seems like any decent performance from the Chinese, and this won’t be too much of a struggle.
Prediction: Zhang in 2
Alexander Zverev vs Aleksandar Vukic
Head-to-head: Zverev 1-0
Aleksandar Vukic snapped a four-match losing streak when he defeated Diego Schwartzman in the opening round. Clay will never be his favorite surface, but the Australian plays with a lot of spin and can handle himself on a court like this. Rather than his amazing form, his first-round win says more about how lost his opponent is. Alexander Zverev has to consider this a very favorable draw and should be able to post a relatively comfortable victory.
Prediction: Zverev in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane – USA TODAY Sports
