Several players will be making their debut in the main draw of the Rome Masters including rising Italian youngster Federico Cina. His debut coincides with what could be a last hurrah for his veteran compatriot, Fabio Fognini, who is up against another debutant, Jacob Fearnley. Several other exciting matches are lined up for the second day in Rome. We join the party to predict who will progress to the next round.
ATP Rome Day 2 Predictions
Mariano Navone vs Federico Cina
Head–to–Head: First Meeting
Mariano Navone’s European clay court season has not been particularly noteworthy, with his most significant achievement being a quarter-final appearance at a Challenger event in Aix-en-Provence last week. He easily won his first two matches before losing to Borna Coric in straight sets.
The Argentine suffered early exits in Madrid, Munich, and Monte-Carlo, and could only advance to the second round of the Bucharest Open, a contrast to reaching the final there last year. He is set to face Federico Cina for a chance to move into the second round. The teenager has participated in only two clay events this season, suffering a first-round defeat in a Challenger in Monza, followed by a gritty second-round loss to Sebastian Korda in three sets at the Madrid Open after defeating Coleman Wong earlier.
Navone may not have had the clay court season he desired, but he should have the upper hand against the world number 323, even with the home crowd behind him.
Prediction: Navone in 2
Fabio Fognini vs Jacob Fearnley
Head–to–Head: First Meeting
Jacob Fearnley has performed excellently in his two clay-court competitions this year. He progressed through two rounds of qualifying at the Barcelona Open, defeating Roberto Carballes Baena in the first round before losing to Alex de Minaur. At the Madrid Open, he once again sailed through the qualifying rounds with relative ease and won his first two matches in the main draw, including a comeback win after losing the first set against 19th seed Tomas Machac.
Although he put up a fight in his loss to Grigor Dimitrov in the following round, Fearnley has reasons to feel optimistic about his clay performances this season.
Fabio Fognini, who will turn 38 at the end of this month, has struggled to find his former level of play this season. He has faced early exits in all his clay court events thus far, with the most recent being a first-round loss in a Challenger event in Mauthausen.
Fearnley’s style of play should prove too challenging for the veteran, and we anticipate the English youngster consigning Fognini to another early departure.
Prediction: Fearnely in 3.
Jaume Munar vs Marcelo Tomas Barrios Vera
Head–to–Head: Munar 2 vs 0 Barrios Vera
Marcelo Tomas Barrios Vera succeeded on the Challenger Tour in early April by winning a tournament in Campinas, which set him up nicely for the upcoming clay-court season. He carried this momentum into his latest competition in Mauthausen last week, where he won four consecutive matches to reach the final, although he ultimately fell to fellow Chilean Christian Garin after taking the opening set. Nonetheless, he can draw plenty of motivation from that performance as he prepares for his first-round encounter with Jaume Munar.
Munar has been struggling, winning only one match on clay this season. He participated in the Challenger event in Aix-en-Provence last week, but despite being the fourth seed, Valentin Vacherot eliminated him in the first round.
Although Barrios Vera hasn’t won in two attempts against Munar, he has won at least a set in both encounters, and it won’t be surprising to win one more to earn a first win over the struggling Spaniard.
Prediction: Barrios Vera in 3.
Roberto Carballes Baena vs Sebastian Ofner
Head–to–Head: Carballes Baena 1 vs 0 Ofner
Robertoo Carballes Baena kicked off his clay court season with a solid performance in Marrakech, reaching the semi-finals before suffering a straight sets defeat to Luciano Darderi. However, he struggled to maintain that form at the Barcelona Open, where Jacob Fearnley eliminated him in the first round. The Spaniard withdrew from Madrid due to a hip issue and returns here after some time off.
Sebastian Ofner had a good start to April with two quarter-final finishes in Challenger events and managed to win his opening match in the Madrid Open. He easily defeated Hugo Gaston but lost to American Brandon Nakashima in the next round. Although he fought valiantly in the second set, he could not force a third set, ultimately falling 6-3 7-6. Ofner is still on the mend after an Achilles tendon injury cut his 2024 season short.
At the start of last year, the two faced each other once at the Auckland Open, where Carballes Baena emerged victorious in straight sets. Leading into this matchup, there are uncertainties regarding Carballes Baena’s fitness, and his form appears to have declined. Ofner won two consecutive matches for the first time this season, and I expect him to continue his resurgence.
Prediction: Ofner in 3
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
