Rome R1 previews and predictions: Ruusuvuori vs. Humbert, Jarry vs. Hanfmann

First-round competition at the Rome Masters wraps up on Thursday, when Emil Ruusuvuori and Ugo Humbert will be matched up for an intriguing showdown. Meanwhile, Nicolas Jarry is facing Yannick Hanfmann.

Ugo Humbert vs. Emil Ruusuvuori

The whole landscape of the Mutua Madrid Open was on Ruusuvuori’s racket during the first weekend. He led Carlos Alcaraz by a set and had five break points to seize a break advantage midway through the second. Instead, Alcaraz mounted a comeback and that sent the Spaniard on his way to a second consecutive Madrid title. Still, it was an impressive performance and overall solid tournament for Ruusuvuori–who has won 14 ATP-level matches so far in 2023.

Up first at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia for the 43rd-ranked Finn is Humbert. They have faced each other on two previous occasions, with Ruusuvuori leading the head-to-head series 2-0 following victories at the 2022 French Open (in five sets) and the recent Madrid Masters (in two tiebreakers, also in the opening round). Humbert went back to the Challenger level following that loss and picked up a title last week in Cagliari, so he is making a quick turnaround in Rome. This will likely be a high-quality contest with both men playing well, but Ruusuvuori should once again have an edge over the 50th-ranked Frenchman.

Pick: Ruusuvuori in 3

Nicolas Jarry vs. (Q) Yannick Hanfmann

Jarry and Hanfmann will also be going head-to-head for the third time in their careers, the third time on clay, and the second time this season. Both of their previous encounters have gone Jarry’s way; 7-6(5), 7-6(2) last year in Gstaad and 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 during the 2023 Golden Swing in Santiago.

After defeating Hanfmann, Jarry went on to capture his second ATP title in front of his Chilean fans. However, the world No. 56 is just 3-4 since that event with a pair of losses to opponents outside the top 100. Hanfmann also finds himself outside the top 100–but just barely at No. 101. The German is playing much better than his ranking right now, with a semifinal showing in Houston and a third-round performance in Madrid as a qualifier. Clay has always been Hanfmann’s best surface and with Jarry not having home-court advantage this time around, the tide could turn.

Pick: Hanfmann in 3