Nikoloz Basilashvili turned back the clock at the Foro Italico, producing the most unlikely upset of the ATP 1000 Rome Open so far. The 34-year-old Georgian qualifier, who had managed just eight main draw victories across the previous three seasons combined, defeated 10th seed Ben Shelton in three sets with a performance built on relentless depth and composure under pressure. Jannik Sinner continued rewriting the record books with a routine win over Sebastian Ofner that extended his winning streak to 24 matches and his run without dropping serve to four consecutive matches. The day's mood was dampened by Arthur Fils' withdrawal with a back injury against Andrea Pellegrino, raising concerns ahead of Roland Garros, while Mariano Navone captured his maiden top-10 scalp against an injured Felix Auger-Aliassime in a match that turned painful to watch. Italian hopes were boosted by Mattia Bellucci's comeback over Tomas Martin Etcheverry and Flavio Cobolli finding his feet at home. Sunday's third round brings Zverev's rematch with Blockx, Musetti against Cerundolo, and Prizmic looking to back up his Djokovic upset against Humbert.
Basilashvili reminds himself with stunning Shelton upset
This can be one of the most unexpected stories of this season. Nikoloz Basilashvili has managed to combine just 8 victories between 2023 and 2025 season in main draw matches of ATP Tour level - 7 of those happened in last season. That was headlined with one glimpse of class presented by Basilashvili in earlier years, as he defeated Lorenzo Musetti in Wimbledon. Today, at Foro Italico, former world no. 16 played with relentless intensity throughout the two-hour, 17-minute encounter, exploiting 39 unforced errors from the American. The 34-year-old Georgian controlled the match with his depth and consistency, breaking serve twice in the opening set as Shelton struggled to absorb the pressure from his opponent's heavy hitting. After Shelton showed signs of revival in the second set - saving a crucial break point at 5-5 in second set with a lob volley before edging the tiebreak - Basilashvili maintained his composure to close out the victory despite the match went into distance. The qualifier demonstrated exceptional pressure point management, winning 16 of 19 serve pressure situations while capitalizing on 10 of 24 return pressure opportunities. This marked Basilashvili's first Masters 1000 third round appearance since Indian Wells 2022 and improved his record against top 10 opponents to 9-24 in whole career. Shelton notes second consecutive upset in first match of ATP 1000, really down to the standards showed during the victorious run in ATP 500 Munich two weeks ago.
Sinner continues record-breaking run of form
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner began his quest for a Career Golden Masters with a routine 6-3, 6-4 victory over Austrian Sebastian Ofner. The Italian continues to looked sharp in his opening match, recording the extension of exceptional form in a few metrics. Apart from this being Sinner's 24th win in a row, the world number one scored fourth consecutive match without dropping service game, and it was his third outing in a row to win all the pressure points on serve as well. Sinner allowed Ofner to produce 6 pressure points during own serve, winning all the balls there. He was same clinical in decisive stages of Madrid Open - giving Alexander Zverev and Arthur Fils two pressure points each other, and no chance to get into contention winning all of those. These are really remarkable and unrepeatable numbers for anyone in the field at the moment.
Fils forced to withdraw with back injury
World No. 17 Fils' Rome campaign ended abruptly when he retired trailing 4-0 against qualifier Andrea Pellegrino after calling for medical treatment following the third game. The French player, who had been in excellent form with a semifinal showing in Madrid and a title in Barcelona, was visibly struggling with a back problem that prevented him from continuing. The timing is particularly concerning with Roland Garros approaching, as Fils leaves Rome with a strong 22-7 season record but questions over his fitness for his home Grand Slam. Pellegrino, ranked 155th in ATP raknings advances to face Frances Tiafoe in what represents a golden opportunity for the Italian qualifier to reach his first Masters 1000 round of 16.
Navone overcomes Injured Auger-Aliassime
Mariano Navone captured his maiden Top 10 victory in dramatic fashion, defeating world No. 5 Felix Auger Aliassime 7-6(4), 7-6(5). The third seed of Rome tournament was battling a severe leg injury in the second set. The Canadian was barely able to walk during portions of the second-set tiebreak, heroically fending off one match point on virtually one leg before Navone sealed the victory. The 25-year-old Argentine, perfect in tiebreaks on clay over the past 12 months at 6-0, showed remarkable composure in the pressure moments, winning 20 of 31 serve pressure points. Having won his maiden tour title in Bucharest earlier this season, Navone has yet to drop a set in Rome and moves up three spots to No. 41 in the live rankings. Auger-Aliassime's clay court struggles continue with a 3-4 record on the surface this year. This match looked like a possible trap for the Canadian before the start knowing Navone's potential on clay, but the health struggles are more important issue to solve for FAA before Roland Garros right now.
Bellucci rallies past Etcheverry
Italian fans had lots of reasons to cheer on Saturday with another home representative moving on. Mattia Bellucci produced an impressive comeback victory over No. 24 seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry, recovering from a set down to win 5-7, 6-2, 6-3. The world No. 80 Italian showed why he's considered an entertaining player to watch when on form, dominating the final two sets with aggressive play. Bellucci's serving was particularly effective, firing nine aces while winning 76% of first serve points. His pressure point execution proved decisive, winning 11 of 16 serve pressure situations while converting 5 of 7 break point opportunities. The victory sets up an intriguing third-round clash with Martin Landaluce, who defeated former world No. 3 Marin Cilic earlier in the day.
Cobolli finds form at home
Flavio Cobolli overcame a sluggish start to defeat Terence Atmane 7-6(1), 6-3, earning an important victory on home soil. The world No. 12 Italian, who has historically struggled in Rome, found his rhythm after a tight first set that required a dominant tiebreak performance. Cobolli's second set play was particularly impressive, showcasing the consistency that has marked his recent strong form. The 22-year-old fired nine aces and won 81% of first serve points, while his pressure point management was excellent with 11 of 13 serve pressure situations won. With this victory, Cobolli continues his remarkable season that has seen him climb into Turin Race contention, establishing himself as Italy's second-most consistent performer behind Sinner.
Sunday preview
Third round starts on Sunday with less matches than in previous days, but surely with lots of quality to follow. Top seed of bottom half Alexander Zverev sets up an exciting re-match for Madrid semifinal against sensational Alexander Blockx. The German found a way to disarm the storming serve of his Belgian opponent in Madrid, winning in straight sets. However, Blockx still continues his way in Rome. Despite going distance both with Federico Cina and Tallon Griekspoor, the new world number 36 has fired 12 aces in each of those matches, getting past with his efficient first serve. Another hot name of last weeks Rafael Jodar sets up exciting clash with Matteo Arnaldi. The Italian who won the ATP 175 Challenger in Cagliari last week delivers entertainment in his matches with latest upset served over Alex De Minaur in three hours-long battle on Friday.
A. Zverev (2) vs. A. Blockx match preview
R. Jodar (32) vs. M. Arnaldi (WC) match preview
Italian fans have lots of action to follow with their favorites. Lorenzo Musetti comes in the role of one of tournament's favorites, but meets very competent clay court player Francisco Cerundolo on Sunday. Luciano Darderi notes quite a slow start to European clay season after winning in Santiago and getting into final in Buenos Aires, facing a strong challenge in form of Tommy Paul - the Roland Garros 2025 quarterfinalist and recent champion of ATP 500 in Houston.
L. Musetti (8) vs. F. Cerundolo (25) match preview
T. Paul (16) vs. L. Darderi (18) match preview
Alexander Bublik recovers from two consecutive first match exits in Munich and Madrid, setting up the meeting with Learner Tien after commanding win over Sebastian Baez by 6-1 6-2. The young American is still yet to get familiar with clay, as his Friday's win over Damir Dzumhur was just third in main draw matches on ATP Tour level. Tien has also gave away just 3 games to Dzumhur, but Bublik will put the bar way higher, having a success story on clay with back to back titles in Gstaad and Kitzbuhel in 2025.
A. Bublik (9) vs. L. Tien (19) match preview
After dropping down from top 20 of ATP Rankings, Casper Ruud sets up intriguing clash against well serving 11th seed Jiri Lehecka. Friday's sensation Dino Prizmic wants to get further in the draw after defeating Novak Djokovic, as 31st seed Ugo Humbert is his next opponent. Karen Khachanov is on his resurgent road, as he defeated Alexander Shevchenko in straights after coming to Rome with poor record of just 2 wins in last 8 matches played. Botic Van De Zandschulp is next for him after overcoming Aleksandar Kovacevic in decisive set's tiebreak in previous round.
J. Lehecka (11) vs. C. Ruud (23) match preview