In the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Rome, several matches are set for the opening round, showcasing both rising talents and experienced competitors.
Hugo Gaston will face Nicolas Jarry in what marks their first meeting. Gaston comes into this match struggling with a form that shows he has lost three of his last five matches, including a retirement in Aix de Provence against Gojo last week. He previously debuted in Rome last season but failed to make it past the qualification rounds. In contrast, Jarry, who has won three of his last five matches, advanced to the quarterfinals in Estoril last week before a tough three-set loss to Pellegrino. His impressive stint in Rome last season saw him reach the finals, highlighting his potential on this surface. Bookmakers favor Jarry, citing his stronger form and past performance, making a bet on him to win a compelling option at odds of 1.53.
In another matchup, Tallon Griekspoor will take on Miomir Kecmanovic. Griekspoor holds a 3-1 advantage in their head-to-head meetings and has won three of his last five matches, although he faced a second-round exit in Madrid last week. Kecmanovic is also in a similar position, winning three of his last five, but most notably reached the semifinals of a Challenger event last week. His best result in Rome was a third-round finish last season. Given Griekspoor’s superior clay-court ability and historical performance, he is favored to win, with odds of 1.62 providing a good betting opportunity.
Rinky Hijikata is scheduled to meet Corentin Moutet, although neither player comes in with much momentum, having lost four of their last five matches. This contest also marks their first meeting. Hijikata found himself out in the first round in Madrid, while Moutet suffered a second-round exit in Aix en Provence. Moutet, appearing in Rome for the fifth time, leverages his clay-court experience, allowing pundits to expect him to outperform Hijikata, who has struggled on this surface. A bet on Moutet to win in straight sets could present strong value at 1.91.
The matches in Rome promise an exciting start to the tournament, with players looking to find their rhythm on clay and seize early victories to propel their momentum forward.
Overall, these matchups highlight the competitive nature of the ATP tour, as players continue to fight for position and prestige on the clay courts.