Key matchups in Rome today
Benoit Paire v Jannick Sinner
Paire’s first match since his removal from the US Open due to a positive test for COVID-19. Italian Sinner was a crowd favourite here a year ago. Bit no cords this time around. The winner will face Stefanos Tsitsipas in the next round.
Elise Mertens v Su-Wei Hsieh
Mertens has been one of the busiest players since the WTA restart, winning 12 matches. This is Hsieh’s first match since February.
Cristian Garin vs Borna Coric
Garin won two clay court titles in February, while Coric is coming off a quarterfinal last week.
Kei Nishikori v Alberto Ramos-Vinolas
Kei lost his first match in over a year last week in Kitzbuhel but is 4-1 against Ramos-Vinolas.
Elena Rybakina vs Ekaterina Alexandrova
These two have already met three times this year. Alexandrova is 2-0 so far. Ekaterina beat Kim Clijsters at the US Open.
Felix Auger-Aliassime v Filip Krajinovic
Both men played well in New York. The pair have only met once before with Krajinovic the winner.
