The ATP Rome Masters begins with opening round action featuring the likes of David Goffin, Richard Gasquet, and Felix Auger-Aliassime. Here are all your predictions from Italy’s biggest ATP tournament, the Masters 1000 on clay in Rome.
Filip Krajinovic vs Felix Auger-Aliassime
Krajinovic’s 8-7 record includes quarterfinals in Munich and Belgrade, he’s a capable clay court player but Auger-Aliassime is a clear favorite, he’s 12-8 and reached the quarters in Barcelona in recent weeks. While clay is not his best surface, the Canadian should have enough game to win this encounter. Auger-Aliassime in 3
Laslo Djere vs Pablo Carreno Busta
Djere is 9-10 on the year but he’s been at his best on clay, reaching the final in Cagliari, and the quarters in Santiago. Since reaching that final, Djere is 0-3 on clay though. Carreno Busta has been much better this season, 13-6 including the title in Marbella, and the semifinals in Barcelona. Carreno Busta doesn’t have the easiest first round opponent but he looks to be in much better shape to win this match than his opponent. Carreno Busta in 2
Richard Gasquet vs Reilly Opelka
Gasquet has been limited this season with a 3-5 record, and he’s struggled in recent years to play anything like he did at his peak. With no notable results this season Gasquet continues to search for a run of success. Opelka has been even worse in 2021 though, the big serving big man is just 2-7 and clay is his worst surface. Gasquet gets a lucky draw here and should take advantage to get a win. Gasquet in 2
Salvatore Caruso vs David Goffin
Caruso, the home player, has a h2h win against Goffin, and with a 4-9 record this year he’s been decent in his first year full time on the ATP tour. Goffin is 13-9 and is tracking slightly better than last season, he captured the ATP title in Montpellier, has an ATP semi on his resume, and most recently the quarterfinals in Monte Carlo. That record and his skills on clay are enough to suggest he can defeat Caruso and even the h2h. Goffin in 2
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