The ATP Masters tournament in Rome is underway and we’ve already got some very exciting match-ups to look forward to. On the sixth day, we’re being treated to showdowns between Top 10 player Holger Rune and the wall that is Sebastian Baez plus defending champion Daniil Medvedev takes on huge hitter Hamad Medjedovic. We’ve to predict these matches and more in the Italian capital. We also look at the rest of the day’s matches in a separate article. Who do you think will advance?
ATP Rome Day 6 Predictions
Hubert Hurkacz vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry
Head-to-head: First meeting
Hubert Hurkacz may have beaten the King of Clay but don’t read too deeply into that. The Pole loves a freebie on his serve and will defend all day from the baseline if given the opportunity, two things Nadal was uncharacteristically giving out in abundance.
Tomas Martin Etcheverry will ironically pose a bigger threat. Though there’s not much anyone can do about a well placed Hurkacz serve, from the back of the court Etcheverry has the weight of shot to consistently pose a threat. The Argentinian has been knocking on the door of a big result for a while–why not here in Rome?
Prediction: Etcheverry in 3
Holger Rune vs Sebastian Baez
Head-to-head: Rune 2-1 Baez
One of the most unpredictable players on tour right now, Holger Rune is still grappling with the plethora of options at his disposal. He often doesn’t know whether to hang back, go hell for leather, play the drop shot, come forward — it’s shown in many of his recent matches, most consistently choosing the wrong times to attack/not to attack against big hitters.
Fortunately, Sebastian Baez will let him play a bit more within himself. The Dane has never really had problems with rally temperament so should be able to hang with the wily Argentinian, even if there’s a few bumps in the road along the way.
Prediction: Rune in 3
Tommy Paul vs Dominik Koepfer
Head-to-head: Paul 2-1 Koepfer
Never to be underestimated, Tommy Paul is always a tough player to defeat. There’s no doubt, however, that his arsenal is more suited to hard courts–a lively serving arm, flat backhand and a penchant for coming forward all testament to that.
Dominik Koepfer entered Rome on a streak of losses but he’s found enough form that we feel quite confident in him here. Paul will be tough to dispatch but the confidence from the surface could be enough to tip the scales.
Prediction: Koepfer in 3
Daniil Medvedev vs Hamad Medjedovic
Head-to-head: First meeting
The defending champion, Daniil Medvedev, got up and running in fine fashion against Jack Draper. He didn’t quite have the zip on his forehand that he did when he won the title last year, however, relying more on his tried and tested backhand to do the damage.
If there is any passiveness in the Medvedev game, Hamad Medjedovic could be just the man to take advantage. The Serbian has already won four matches in Rome without dropping a set, showing off his huge weaponry against Carabelli, Wolf, Popyrin, and Davidovich Fokina. Alarm bells are ringing for the defending champion…
Prediction: Medjedovic in 3
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
