The ATP Masters tournament in Rome is underway and we’ve already got some very exciting match-ups to look forward to on Day 6. On Monday, we’re being treated to showdowns between the Madrid Masters finalist Felix Auger-Aliassime and the in-form Aussie Alex De Minaur and Monte Carlo Masters champion Stefanos Tsitsipas faces the tricky Brit Cam Norrie. 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
Alex De Minaur vs Felix Auger-Aliassime
Head-to-head: Auger-Aliassime 2-0 De Minaur
Though Felix Auger-Aliassime made the Madrid final, it doesn’t really feel as though he’s well and truly back. His run was opened up somewhat by injuries and he was able to cover over some baseline issues by virtue of the altitude in the Spanish capital.
This will be a far better test of Auger-Aliassime’s mettle as Alex De Minaur will keep sending the balls back. Even if the Canadian has regained some of his form, it feels as though De Minaur will have the edge in this one.
Prediction: De Minaur in 2
Nicolas Jarry vs Stefano Napolitano
Head-to-head: First meeting
Though he never gives over an easy match, Nicolas Jarry has lost a bit of his momentum since moving over to the clay. His serve doesn’t quite possess the same bite it does on a hard court so his very slight baseline weaknesses will sometimes present themselves.
Stefano Napolitano may be able to take advantage. He’s in great form and will be feeling extremely confident from the baseline on home soil. Again, there’s no way Jarry will make Napolitano’s life easy but we think the Italian squeaks through this one.
Prediction: Napolitano in 3
Andrey Rublev vs Alexandre Muller
Head-to-head: First meeting
Last week’s Madrid champion, Andrey Rublev, never felt infallible during his title run. He always gives an incredibly human performance, prone to peaks and troughs, visceral outbursts and flashes of brilliance alike.
Whilst the Russian may be beatable, it doesn’t feel as though Alexandre Muller’s level is quite high enough to take advantage. Rublev presents an incredibly high bar for his opponents to beat him and the peaks in Muller’s game may not surpass that.
Prediction: Rublev in 2
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Cameron Norrie
Head-to-head: 1-1
Like Monte Carlo, Rome should be Stefanos Tsitsipas’s happy-hunting ground. He’s reached the quarterfinals or better in four of his last five appearances here (he drew a young Italian wild card named Jannik Sinner in 2020), only being beaten by some of the best in the business (Djokovic twice, Medvedev, and Nadal).
Yes, Tsitsipas’s form has been spotty but he will be in his element. He shouldn’t be perturbed by the tricky game that Cam Norrie imposes.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
