As we cap off a very exciting first week of the ATP Italian Open in Rome, most of the big names are scheduled to hit the courts on Day 4. Former champion Alexander Zverev will take on Belgium’s waning star David Goffin, while last year’s finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas opens up against Portugal’s Nuno Borges. As always, we share our thoughts on every match for you. We split all 16 of the day’s matches between four articles. Our other three articles feature Carlos Alcaraz vs Albert Ramos Vinolas, Daniil Medvedev vs Emil Ruusuvuori, and Andrey Rublev vs Alex Molcan. Who will advance into the third round?
ATP Rome Day 4 Predictions
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs Guido Pella
Head-to-head: first meeting
As second rounds go, Davidovich Fokina has a gift of a draw provided he doesn’t lose his focus. The Spaniard can be an enigma occasionally, but he’s an absolute joy to watch when he is on song. We caught a glimpse of that flamboyance and breathtaking performances in Madrid and there is a good chance he’ll get his Rome campaign off to a flier against a harmless Guido Pella who is still in the early stages of his comeback.
Prediction: Davidovich Fokina in 2
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Nuno Borges
Head-to-head: first meeting
Nuno Borges was on a bit of a dreadful run coming to this year’s Rome Masters, but a first-round upset of Banja Luka champion Dusan Lajovic keeps him interested here. Stefanos Tsitsipas reached the final last year, losing to Novak Djokovic. The Greek is as gifted as they come on this surface and in these conditions and is getting better each year. Borges has an improbable mission of getting a result with Tsitsipas fully focused on returning to winning touch.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 2
Lorenzo Musetti vs Matteo Arnaldi
Head-to-head: Musetti 1-0 Arnaldi
It should be an entertaining all-Italian clash at primetime in Rome. Matteo Arnaldi enters this encounter in a better match rhythm. But beating Diego Schwartzman these days seems like a foregone conclusion. Musetti has a higher upswing and a wonderfully eclectic game to upstage his lesser-experienced countryman.
Prediction: Musetti in 2
Alexander Zverev vs David Goffin
Head-to-head: Goffin 4-2 Zverev
David Goffin was a force to be reckoned with on all surfaces. But it is no longer a secret that the Belgian could be past his best. He has struggled for wins at Tour level and has seen his ranking slump into three digits. He put together the odd deep run in Aix-en-Provence this past week and scraped past Luca Nardi in his opener in Rome. Zverev has a formidable record in this tournament and he should be home in next to no time here.
Prediction: Zverev in 2
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