Daniil Medvedev, the highest remaining seed in the Rome draw, will take on Hamad Medjedovic on Monday for a spot in the round of 16. Alex de Minaur will also be action against the resurgent Felix Auger-Aliassime.
(2) Daniil Medvedev vs. (Q) Hamad Medjedovic
Serbian qualifier Hamad Medjedovic is having the tournament of his young career. The world No. 121 came up through qualifying, took out Alexei Popyrin in the first round, and then upset Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the second. Unfortunately for the-20 year-old, he now runs into an in-form Daniil Medvedev.
Medvedev upended Jack Draper in the second round to earn his spot on Monday. The Russian had a quarterfinal showing in Madrid and comes into the Rome Masters fairly well-rested. He is the defending champion, so he has demonstrated that he plays well in the Eternal City. Look for Medvedev to make quick work of Medjedovic. The underdog may keep one set close, but overall look for the No. 2 seed to roll.
Cheryl pick: Medvedev in 2
Ricky pick: Medvedev in 2
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(9) Alex de Minaur vs. (18) Felx Auger-Aliassime
Felix Auger-Aliassime may well be on the comeback path. The popular Canadian saw his ranking drop from a career high of No. 6 in the world to No. 36 just a few months ago. Somewhat out of nowhere, the 23-year-old picked his way to the Madrid final. Sure he benefitted from two retirements and a walkover, but he still had a solid win over Casper Ruud en route to the title match.
Auger-Aliassime has a 2-0 record over his Monday opponent, Alex de Minaur. But that was back in 2022 when the Canadian was playing his best and before de Minaur truly broke through. The Aussie hasn’t traditionally been at his best on clay (he is a much more successful hard-courter), but he comes into Rome well rested and he is facing an opponent who always seems to be shaky with confidence and is wildly inconsistent in general despite his recent result in Madrid.
Cheryl pick: De Minaur in 3
Ricky pick: De Minaur in 2
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man, its hard to like either player. that matchup, the tourney directors just knew it was going to be WTA-esque, so they scheduled it first thing in the morning. somehow I got sucked into that one, but I should have known better. the only thing that surprises me nowadays in tennis, is how after 7 years of following these players, I never learn.
Med in 2; Demon in 2.