The ATP Tour heads to Rome for a star-studded Masters 1000 clay-court event. The Internazionali BNL d’Italia in the Italian capital is filled with a 96-man singles draw that features the 13 top-ranked players in the world. Day 1 in Rome will feature a bevy of intriguing Round 1 matches, including Ilya Ivashka taking on 2008 finalist Stan Wawrinka. We at LWOT have the preview and prediction for that match and all other happenings in Rome. We also predict the rest of the day’s matches, split between three articles. One features Andy Murray vs Fabio Fognini, the second highlights Richard Gasquet vs Yibing Wu, and the third features Jaume Munar vs Thanasi Kokkinakis. But who will advance?
ATP Rome Day 1 Predictions
Juan Manuel Cerundolo vs Arthur Fils
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Juan Manuel Cerundolo and Arthur Fils both advanced through qualifying to reach the main draw in Rome and now have a terrific opportunity to pick up a Masters victory. Cerundolo has a strong history on the clay, reaching 10 Challenger-level finals on the surface and winning seven. His patience and ability to chase down balls from wing to wing will likely frustrate the young Frenchman. Fils is just 18 years old and will have a fruitful career on the ATP Tour, but in this match, I see the Argentinian getting the best of him.
Prediction: Cerundolo in 3
Marcos Giron vs Roman Safiullin
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Marcos Giron and Roman Safiullin square off with a great chance to reach the second round in Rome. Giron had the best Masters result of his career last year in Rome when he reached the third round. Although the 29-year-old American does not have the best history on the clay, he has the ability to extend points and hit winners off both wings. Safiullin has won six of his last seven matches, including a victory over Tommy Paul in Madrid. The 26-year-old Russian has been working his way up the rankings and added a nice consistency to his game. In a back-and-forth battle, I give the slight edge to Safiullin.
Prediction: Safiullin in 3
Kyle Edmund vs Alexandre Muller
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Kyle Edmund, currently ranked No. 473 in the world, was admitted to the main draw in Rome off of a protected ranking. The former world top-15 is 0-7 in ATP matches this year and has struggled mightily over the last two seasons. He takes on 26-year-old Frenchman Alexandre Muller in Round 1. Muller advanced through two rounds of qualifying to reach the main draw and won his second qualifying match 6-0 6-1 over Franco Agamenone. Edmund has the tools to push Muller around the court, but the Frenchman’s consistency and recent form should lend a hand to success in this match.
Prediction: Muller in 3
Ilya Ivashka vs Stan Wawrinka
Head-to-Head: Ivashka 1-0 Wawrinka
Ilya Ivashka and Stan Wawrinka will square off in Rome in one of the more intriguing Day 1 matches. Ivashka won their only previous encounter back in 2018. The Belarusian comes into this match looking to break a three-match losing streak. He has just four ATP wins this year and has dropped down to No. 73 in the world. Wawrinka’s comeback tour has lacked consistency, but he has had some solid showings against the world’s best. He was a finalist in this event in 2008 and reached the third round last year. In this match, I trust the veteran Swiss to come up with winners in crucial points.
Prediction: Wawrinka in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
