Rome R4 previews and predictions: Alcaraz vs. Khachanov, Zverev vs. Fils

The entire slate of fourth-round action at the Rome Masters will be played on Tuesday, so that includes both Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev. Alcaraz awaits Karen Khachanov, while Zverev goes up against Arthur Fils.

(23) Karen Khachanov vs. (3) Carlos Alcaraz

Nobody has enjoyed a more favorable draw so far at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia than Khachanov, but his luck appears to have run out in the form of a fourth-round showdown against Alcaraz on Tuesday. Khachanov opened with a 6-4, 5-7, 6-1 victory over world No. 135 Roman Andres Burruchaga before beating world No. 101 Francesco Passaro. The 24th-ranked Russian needs all the help he can get these days, as he arrived in Rome with just a 9-10 record for the season.

Unfortunately for Khachanov, he is 0-4 lifetime against Alcaraz, including 0-9 in total sets without even forcing a single tiebreaker. They have squared off three times on clay, with the Spaniard winning those matches by set scores of 6-1, 6-4, 6-4, 6-0, 6-2, 6-4, and 7-5. More bad news for the underdog is that Alcaraz seems to have put his recent leg injury in the past. The world No. 3 has advanced so far in Rome with straight-set defeats of Dusan Lajovic and Laslo Djere. Even if Alcaraz remains a little bit rusty, he is likely in store for another routine day at the office.

Pick: Alcaraz in 2

(13) Arthur Fils vs. (2) Alexander Zverev

Zverev and Fils will be squaring off for the sixth time in their careers and for the second time this season on Tuesday. The head-to-head series stands at 3-2 in favor of Zverev, but Fils won their last clay-court encounter in a third-set tiebreaker to capture the 2024 Hamburg title and he most recently defeated the German 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 less than two months ago at the Miami Masters.

In Miami, Zverev was in the midst of a massive slump while trying to track down Jannik Sinner for the No. 1 ranking. That pressure is pretty much off with Sinner back in action, and Zverev–although certainly not back to his best–is starting to play decent tennis again. The world No. 2 took the Munich title and he has now won multiple matches at three consecutive events following Rome victories over Camilo Ugo Carabelli (6-2, 6-1) and Vilius Gaubas (6-4, 6-0). Fils is coming off an emotional three-setter against Stefanos Tsitsipas, so 14th-ranked Frenchman may not have quite as much left in the tank. Zverev loves this tournament and the defending champ’s bid for another trophy in Rome should progress into the quarterfinals.

Pick: Zverev in 2