The seeds will come out to play for the first time this week in Rome — and that includes Novak Djokovic, who faces Dino Prizmic. Rafael Jodar is kicking off his tournament against Nuno Borges on Friday.
(Q) Dino Prizmic vs. (3) Novak Djokovic
It will be a rematch of a 2024 Australian Open showdown when Djokovic and Prizmic cross paths again in round two of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia on Friday. Djokovic won their previous encounter 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4, but it marked Prizmic’s impressive arrival on the professional scene. Just 18 years old at the time, the Croat failed to build on momentum from that performance against Djokovic but now seems to be establishing himself. Prizmic has won eight tour-level matches in 2026, including two in Madrid as a qualifier over Matteo Berrettini and Ben Shelton. The world No. 79 opened in Rome with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Marton Fucsovics.
Djokovic has not played since Indian Wells, where he lost a 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(5) thriller against Jack Draper in the fourth round. The 38-year-old Serb has participated in just two events this season, with his other result being an unexpected runner-up performance at the Australian Open. Djokovic is certainly well rested and presumably healthy, but at the same time he has to be rusty. It would not be surprising at all if Prizmic is competitive in this matchup.
Pick: Djokovic in 3
Nuno Borges vs. (32) Rafael Jodar
Suddenly, there is a lot of pressure on Jodar — expectations are now through the roof and he likely needs at least one win in Rome to secure a seeded spot at the French Open. That seemed impossible heading into the season and still improbable going into the clay-court swing, but the 19-year-old Spaniard clinched his first ATP title in Marrakech and is coming off a run to the Madrid quarterfinals (lost to eventual champion Jannik Sinner).
Up first for Jodar in Rome is Borges, whom he has never faced. Borges advanced on Wednesday with a 6-3, 6-0 defeat of Jesper de Jong, but he is still a dreadful 9-13 at the ATP level this year. Not counting a retirement, the world No. 52 from Portugal hasn’t beaten anyone ranked better than 29th so far in 2026. This should be one-way traffic from start to finish for Jodar.
Pick: Jodar in 2
WWW?
Joker in an easy 2; same for Jodar
Djokovic in 3, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3
Jodar’s probably tired now, but should still come through this, Borges played well vs de Jong, Jodar in 3, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5
If Prizmic could get a set from Djokovic on his favourite playground – AO, then surely he could take a set, make it tight or win this one outright. After 2024 AO match Novak admitted that he saw a younger self in Dino. That fighter spirit and not giving up…
Handicap/over games or Prizmic to take a set is the play for me!
Well called, Ttt!
Jodar just won in straight sets. Maybe the ice baths are working, or he’s also smoking the right stuff. What would a Spaniard smoke? Dried paella?
I have zero idea how Djokovic is going to go against young whippersnapper Prizmic, but it will be interesting to see what level he is on after so much time away.
Djokovic will be fine, he always is, might lose a set here or there, but finds a way, like he always does, nothing to see here, move on
Move on ? Maybe not
Well, he wasn’t…