The seeded players will begin taking the court for second-round action in Rome on Friday, with Carlos Alcaraz beginning his fortnight against Dusan Lajovic. Arthur Fils is facing familiar foe Tallon Griekspoor.
(Q) Dusan Lajovic vs. (3) Carlos Alcaraz
Alcaraz is a bit of question mark heading into the Internazionali BNL d’Italia, as he skipped the Madrid Masters and therefore hasn’t played since sustaining a leg injury in the Barcelona final against Holger Rune. The third-ranked Spaniard is reportedly good to go for what is an important event in terms of French Open seeding. Alcaraz will climb to No. 2 in the rankings if he reaches at least the semifinals in Rome or if Alexander Zverev fails to defend the title.
Up first for Alcaraz on Friday is a fifth meeting with Lajovic, who has lost all four of their matches and all nine of their sets. They have faced each other twice on clay; Alcaraz cruised 6-4, 6-2 at the 2023 Buenos Aires tournament and 6-4, 7-6(0) immediately thereafter in Rio de Janeiro. Lajovic did well to qualify in Rome and defeat Yoshihito Nishioka on Wednesday, but he has not advanced more than one round in any ATP-level event this entire season. It’s hard to see him ending that drought at Alcaraz’s expense.
Pick: Alcaraz in 2
(13) Arthur Fils vs. Tallon Griekspoor
Fils and Griekspoor will be squaring off for the fourth time in their careers and for the second time this season. After splitting a pair of competitive contests at back-to-back Grand Slams (2023 U.S. Open, 2024 Australian Open), Fils took a 2-1 lead in the head-to-head series by prevailing 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-2 at last month’s Monte-Carlo Masters.
Griekspoor was always going to be up against the wall in Monte-Carlo because he had just finished runner-up in Marrakech the previous Sunday. However, the world No. 35 should be on a full tank of gas this time around. Griekspoor, who lost in the Madrid second round to eventual finalist Jack Draper, opened in Rome with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-0 defeat of Miomir Kecmanovic on Wednesday. A win already under his belt will help the Dutchman, and it’s worth noting that Fils lost his opening match at the Madrid Masters to Francisco Comesana in straight sets.
Pick: Griekspoor in 3
WWW?
Alcaraz in 3 – Dusan can have Purple patches and a great set (not usually a whole match) I think if he comes out firing he can potentially take S1. I do also think there will be a TB.
Fils in 3 – Really tough call I reckon, depends heavily on Fils’ mindset. He’s had a rest so lets see. I’m probably more confident that it will go 3 sets or at least over 22.5 games.
Carlos in 2; and if Griek cab beat Kec, then he can take down Fils….but sure would be fun to watch!
Fils v Griekspoor , close one. Gutb says Griek because Fils lost early in Madrid