2022 Italian Open ATP M1000 - Rome: May 8 - 15

[Rattie]

The third clay Masters of the season. Rafael Nadal is the defending champion.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1522274256201129985

The top eight seeds received a bye into the second round.
1. Novak Djokovic
2. Alexander Zverev
3. Rafael Nadal
4. Stefanos Tsitsipas
5. Casper Ruud
6. Andrey Rublev
7. Carlos Alcaraz
8. Felix Auger-Aliassime

Wildcards:
Luca Nardi (replaces Musetti)
Lorenzo Musetti (awarded directly)
Flavio Cobolli (awarded directly)
Francesco Passaro (through pre-qualifying)
Matteo Arnaldi (through pre-qualifying)

 

[Baseline_Bungle]

Musetti has pulled out due to injury just before the draw ceremony. Much speculation as to how the final wild card will be used...

 

[Baseline_Bungle]

Following Musetti's withdrawl, the final MD wild card has been awarded to Luca Nardi, the world's top-ranked 18-year-old and the youngest player in the top 200.

 

[Rattie]

Following Musetti's withdrawl, the final MD wild card has been awarded to Luca Nardi, the world's top-ranked 18-year-old and the youngest player in the top 200.

Thanks for the update. OP edited.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Draw coming out now

 

[Rattie]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1522624612277927940

 

[Rattie]

 

[Baseline_Bungle]

Should be an intense weekend of qualifying in the Eternal City, with plenty of rain in the forecast both Saturday and Sunday, and the Roman roofs about as ready as the bridge on the Strait of Messina...

 

[I Am Finnish]

Egg and Nadal have easy draws

 

[stringertom]

Pretty much the same draw at the top as Madrid except Alcaraz moves into Zedraffe’s quarter. Another potential Djokodal SF, another potential Rubesipas QF and then the winner takes on the Zedcaraz survivor.

 

[Baseline_Bungle]

Alcatraz - Passaro in round 2: this is where the future of the sport is decided.

 

[Baseline_Bungle]

Pretty much the same draw at the top as Madrid except Alcaraz moves into Zedraffe’s quarter. Another potential Djokodal SF, another potential Rubesipas QF and then the winner takes on the Zedcaraz survivor.

Making sure Rats can have a go at all the top guys before Paris.

 

[Aabye5]

Following Musetti's withdrawl, the final MD wild card has been awarded to Luca Nardi, the world's top-ranked 18-year-old and the youngest player in the top 200.

Congrats, Luca! Now bring your best stuff, bambino.

 

[stringertom]

Rune wants The Nadal’s RG record but apparently winning a matching 10 titles in Rome will take a yearlong delay, losing to Dellien in 1R qualifying.

 

[Aabye5]

Cobolli is in an interesting section, but I think he may need another year.

 

[Rattie]

Rune wants The Nadal’s RG record but apparently winning a matching 10 titles in Rome will take a yearlong delay, losing to Dellien in 1R qualifying.

Ooops

 

[Baseline_Bungle]

Main draw action starts tomorrow with these 4 matches:

Harris - Karatsev
Tiafoe - Krajinovic
Passaro - Garin
Arnaldi - Cilic

The winners of the grotesque pre-qualifying tournament finished 0 for 7 in qualifying action, with the lone Italian win coming from Zeppieri, who ironically had been eliminated from the pre-qualies and was only handed a last-minute slot once Nardi moved up to the MD. With the actual winners of the two MD wild cards (Arnaldi and Passaro) playing tomorrow, chances of a pathetic 0 for 9 are strong. The silver lining there would be that perhaps the FIT will rethink its WC process going into next year...

In other news, over the past week Zeppieri has lost to Passaro (ATP 400) and Ferrari (ATP 700), but has beaten Molcan (top 50) and Draper (soon to be top 50). The kid is a major mess, but he can play. Faces Cressy tomorrow for a spot in the MD - if he can keep his sht together, I like his chances.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Much speculation as to how the final wild card will be used...

 

[_phantom]

Cerundolo Sr has qualified for the main round. He will play against Isner tomorrow. Winner will take on Nadal.

Karatsev won his R64 match. He will play Djokovic next.

 

[I Am Finnish]

Bold prediction: Egg - Alcaraz final

 

[cloudluc]

I will go with Carlitos Alcaraz not dropping a set during the entire tournament.

 

[Baseline_Bungle]

In other news, over the past week Zeppieri has lost to Passaro (ATP 400) and Ferrari (ATP 700), but has beaten Molcan (top 50) and Draper (soon to be top 50). The kid is a major mess, but he can play. Faces Cressy tomorrow for a spot in the MD - if he can keep his sht together, I like his chances.

You heard it here first! Zeppieri through in a 3rd set tiebreaker and takes on Karen K tomorrow afternoon. Here is the updated draw, with qualifiers and lucky losers:

 

[weakera]

Well, here we are. We are in Rome

 

[Rattie]

Well, here we are. We are in Rome

 

[DSH]

Alcatraz - Passaro in round 2: this is where the future of the sport is decided.

Come gioca il ragazzo di Passaro, gioca il rovescio con una o due mani, ha una vocazione offensiva o preferisce giocare da fondo campo?

 

[toby55555]

Expect Novacc to go up a notch and take Alcaraz in the final.

 

[Baseline_Bungle]

Come gioca il ragazzo di Passaro, gioca il rovescio con una o due mani, ha una vocazione offensiva o preferisce giocare da fondo campo?

LOL unfortunately that epic clash did not materialize, as Passaro was dispatched 3&2 by Garin. As for your question, he's like a poor man's Berrettini. Very very poor. With no serve

PS complimenti per l'Italiano! Roba tua o traduttore automatico?

 

[I Am Finnish]

Bold prediction: Egg - Alcaraz final

Never mind lol

 

[I Am Finnish]

Z can become #1 if he wins the tournament and Egg loses before the QF

 

[cloudluc]

So Carlitos is not playing due to his injury on the ankle.

 

[Baseline_Bungle]

So Carlitos is not playing due to his injury on the ankle.

The injury that slowed him down against Nadal, Djokovic and Zverev back to back to back? Gee I can't wait to see what he can do when healthy!

 

[dapchai]

Z can become #1 if he wins the tournament and Egg loses before the QF

@I Am Finnish loves Z.

 

[I Am Finnish]

@I Am Finnish loves Z.

Oh really ?

 

[Rattie]

So Carlitos is not playing due to his injury on the ankle.

Really?

 

[Bubcay]

Today's schedule (times in Australian Eastern Time).

To be honest, the only three matches that really interest me are Opelka vs Wawrinka, Korda vs van de Zandschulp and Fognini vs Thiem.

 

[Bubcay]

Opelka firing 230km/ph serve rockets and Wawrinka just can't cope... A comfortable opening set win.. 6:3

 

[Bubcay]

Opelka just served a 240 km/ph (approx. 149 mph) rocket... It must be dangerous being on the opposite side of the net.. He leads 6:3 3:2..

 

[Bubcay]

Wawrinka manages to break back and serves with a renewed hope that he can win the second set. 4:4 Playing much better now.. He won 11 out of the last 15 points..

 

[guanzishou]

It's so good to see Wawrinka playing again!

 

[guanzishou]

Opelka wasted so many break points

 

[guanzishou]

Dang what a backhand winner from Stan!

 

[guanzishou]

Stop chipping the return, Stan!

 

[guanzishou]

Stop chipping the return, Stan!

Yeah, Stan heard me and drove the bh return top spin and won the second set with it!!!!

 

[guanzishou]

Who are those two girls wearing FILA hats in Wawrinka's player's box ?

 

[weakera]

Who are those two girls wearing FILA hats in Wawrinka's player's box ?

Stan's harem

 

[guanzishou]

Sick drive angled BH return winner from Stan!!!!

 

[Aretium]

Guy vaping in the front row in the wawrinka match. Wtf

 

[junior74]

Stanley has reserrected

 

[guanzishou]

Stan The Man is back! Great comeback to win in 3 sets!

 

[weakera]

Nice win for Wawrinka, not the best conditions for a bot like Opelka but even so, this shows Stan is on the upswing.