Fellow Italians and Australian Open doubles winners Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini will begin their Rome campaigns on Monday. They are set for respective meetings with Dominic Thiem and Steve Johnson.
Simone Bolelli vs. Dominic Thiem
Bolelli and Thiem will be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers when they collide in round one of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia on Monday. In the midst of one his most consistent seasons on tour, Bolelli has played in 12 tournaments and has lost his opening match only once. The 57th-ranked Italian is coming off a third-round performance in Madrid, where he lost to eventual runner-up Rafael Nadal.
Thiem’s 2015 campaign has featured more ups and downs. The 21-year-old Austrian made a run to the Miami quarterfinals, but he has six opening-match setbacks–including in Monte-Carlo and Barcelona. Although Thiem fared extremely well on clay last season, he has not been as impressive this time around and he has to go up against Bolelli on the veteran’s home turf in Italy.
Pick: Bolelli in 3
[polldaddy poll=8857776]
Steve Johnson vs. Fabio Fognini
Fognini and Johnson will also be facing each other for the first time in their careers on Monday. One of the most mentally volatile players on tour, Fognini has never been able to keep it together in front of his Italian fans. The world No. 31 is 3-7 lifetime in Rome and has never won back-to-back matches at the event. Fognini’s confidence will be further depleted by the fact that he is 5-8 in his last 13 matches.
Johnson, on the other hand, is on an upward trajectory at No. 54 in the world and with 13 ATP-level victories on the year. The American battled through a long three-setter against Alejandro Gonzalez in Madrid before succumbing to compatriot John Isner. This match is unlikely to be competitive, and it will be on Fognini’s racket. If the favorite can stay composed, he technically should win. But that is a big “if.” As long as Johnson serves big and dictates play to the extent that he is hitting a vast majority of forehands, an upset is very possible.
Pick: Johnson in 2
[polldaddy poll=8857680]
I just don’t think there’s any way that Fog can lose in the first round in front of his Italian fans…Fog in straight, and Bollelli in 2 as well.
Ricky when are you gonna write something about upcoming tennis player, Dummy? Why cant he win anything despite the fact that he has undeniable potential.
Fognini and Boleli.
just wondering: do Italians also say Vamos?! I just saw Fognini saying it after beating Johnson…
Yeah, he said it when he beat Rafa too. I was thinking he was just rubbing salt in the wound but maybe they do?
Fognini beats Johnson!
Congratulations to Meeee!!!!
#GettinRickyWidit