First-round action in Rome is wrapping up on Tuesday, when seeds Diego Schwartzman and Hubert Hurkacz will take the court. They are going up against tough opponents in Miomir Kecmanovic and David Goffin, respectively.
(12) Diego Schwartzman vs. Miomir Kecmanovic
Although basically everyone on tour is getting overshadowed by Carlos Alcaraz these days, Kecmanovic has been one of the breakout stars on tour in 2022. The 22-year-old Serb has won 23 matches and went on a streak of reaching at least the quarterfinals in six consecutive tournaments, including Rio de Janeiro, Indian Wells, and Miami. That streak ended in Madrid–but only because he had to face Rafael Nadal in the second round. Kecmanovic may not have that problem at the French Open, as he is up to No. 31 in the world and in position to be seeded.
Up first for Kecmanovic on Tuesday is Schwartzman, who leads the head-to-head series 2-0. The 15th-ranked Argentine cruised 6-0, 6-1, 6-3 at the 2020 French Open and 6-0, 6-4 early last year in Buenos Aires. Of course, Kecmanovic is a much different player since those meetings took place and Schwartzman has been unspectacular this season. The 29-year-old has reached at least the quarters in five events (including two runner-up performances), but straight-set losses to Pablo Carreno Busta in Barcelona and Grigor Dimitrov (6-0, 6-3) in Madrid were discouraging. This is a good opportunity for Kecmanovic to stay hot and pull off a minor upset.
Pick: Kecmanovic in 3
(11) Hubert Hurkacz vs. David Goffin
Hurkacz and Goffin will surprisingly be squaring off for the first time in their careers on Tuesday. It should be one of the best matches of the opening round, too, with Goffin finally rounding back into form. The 48th-ranked Belgian won the Marrakech title, reached the third round in Monte-Carlo, qualified in Madrid and made it to the third round there, as well, before losing a 6-3, 5-7, 7-6(7) thriller against Nadal.
The clay-court swing has also been kind to Hurkacz. He advanced to the quarterfinals in Monte-Carlo and Madrid, losing to Grigor Dimitrov in a third-set tiebreaker and then to Novak Djokovic. Hurkacz would probably have the edge in this one on a hard court or grass (or in faster conditions like Madrid), but the 12th-ranked Pole may not win a ton of free points on serve in Rome and a resurgent Goffin can capitalize.
Pick: Goffin in 3
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