First-round action at the ATP Italian Open in Rome continues on Day 2 of the event. There will be 16 matches on schedule including a Madrid rematch between Ugo Humbert and Emil Ruusuvuori. Who will reach the second round at the Foro Italico?
ATP Rome Day 2 Predictions
Quentin Halys vs J.J. Wolf
Head-to-head: first meeting
In three clay-court tournaments this season, Halys has served more aces, won more service games, and saved more break points than Wolf. The serve could be the defining factor in this match, whoever can navigate their service games better to earn free points will ultimately win. And going by that metric, then the Frenchman looks more likely to win a nip-and-tuck contest.
Prediction: Halys in 3
Luca Nardi vs David Goffin
Head-to-head: Nardi 1-0 Goffin
Fading form and constant injuries have eaten up David Goffin’s ranking in the past two seasons. He’s now dropped outside the Top 100 for the first time since 2014. That comes against the backdrop of a decent showing at the Aix-en-Provence Challenger last week where he reached the semifinal and lost to top seed Tommy Paul. It now almost feels like Goffin has reached his nadir. He’ll have his hands full against Italian teenager Luca Nardi. The 19-year-old has relied on a wild card to enter the main draw for the second year in a row. He gave a good account of himself last season running Cameron Norrie pretty close in a 6-4 6-4 defeat. He’ll be eager to impress again and he does a huge upswing in his game including a well-crafted and controlled backhand that is so tough to breach. The Belgian could be in serious trouble here.
Prediction: Nardi in 3
Marc-Andrea Huesler vs Jason Kubler
Head-to-head: Kubler 1-0 Huesler
Huesler enjoyed a breakout year at Tour level in 2022. But that momentum has quickly dissipated in the first half of the 2023 season. From a career-high #47, he’s fallen to 82nd in the rankings and enters this match as the lower-ranked player. He still possesses the tools to outsmart his opponents with his lefty serve a major weapon against right-handers. Kubler’s recent performance in singles should sound alarm bells here. He failed to fashion a single break point against Lajovic in quick conditions in Madrid. This could be the perfect opportunity for the Swiss to get his season back on track.
Prediction: Huesler in 2
Ugo Humbert vs Emil Ruusuvuori
Head-to-head: Ruusuvuori 2-0 Humbert
Ruusuvuori’s recent win over Humbert came in Madrid just a fortnight ago and could be a shot in the arm for him in this matchup. The Finn also took their first meeting at the 2022 French Open in five sets. Fatigue could play a part in the outcome of this match. Humbert is coming off a title win at the Cagliari Challenger where he clocked an astounding 12 and a half hours of playing time during the week. The odds are certainly stacked against the French lefty.
Prediction: Ruusuvuori in 2
Main Photo Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
