Day 2 of action at the ATP Masters in Rome sees the end of the first round. And while it’s been unheard-of for Rafael Nadal to be playing in Round 1 here instead of receiving a bye, that’s where his 2023 injury absence has gotten him. So? Is he ready to compete at an elite level again? We’ll find out. Who do you think will win Thursday’s matches in Rome? We predict them all, split between four articles. The other three feature Lorenzo Sonego vs Dusan Lajovic, Tomas Machac vs Matteo Arnaldi, and Jack Draper vs Borna Coric.
ATP Rome Day 2 Predictions
Luca Nardi vs Daniel Altmaier
Nardi is a rising clay-courter, while Altmaier seems to have fallen to journeyman status. He’s still a consistent Top 100 player, so he should be a threat here, but I feel like Nardi has the advantages in this one.
Prediction: Nardi in 3
Alexei Popyrin vs Hamad Medjedovic
Medjedovic is a solid player and likes these courts, seemingly. Popyrin is hit or miss. He rose impressively a few years back, but he seemed to hit a plateau and regress since then. And clay was never his strong suit to begin with. I think the Serbian should move on.
Prediction: Medjedovic in 2
Botic van de Zandschulp vs Nicolas Moreno de Alboran
Nicolas Moreno de Alboran is the rare American who seems to like the clay. He plays well on the surface and he’s one to watch out for. But van de Zandschulp was just so impressive in qualifying. He looked like his blistering self from three years ago. Can that last? I don’t know. But if it does, he’ll go deep here.
Rafael Nadal vs Zizou Bergs
I have no idea what level of form Rafael Nadal will be in. At some point, though, I have to trust that he’ll only play if he thinks he can win the event. And if he’s correct about that, then there will be nothing Bergs can do.
Prediction: Nadal in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
