The last big test before Roland Garros and one of the most monumental clay courts tournaments in ATP calendar starts main draw action tomorrow, as Internazionali BNL d'Italia returns to Rome's Foro Italico with last Masters 1000 clay tournament of the season. Main draw competition starts tomorrow, bringing together the world's elite - all the top players are committed in Rome tournament apart from Carlos Alcaraz sidelined at least till the end of clay season due to wrist injury and Taylor Fritz who suffers from tendonitis injury issues. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner headlines an exceptionally strong 96-player field that features eight of the top 10 players, setting up what promises to be a thrilling week on the Italian clay. The home crowd's favorite looks forward to extend his series of 23 match wins in a row and the record-breaking 5 consecutive Masters titles after getting defeated in last year's Rome final by Alcaraz in straight sets.
The tournament presents compelling narratives across the draw. Novak Djokovic, seeded third, comes back to competition after long break since Indian Wells, taking his first steps on clay courts this season as a test before another Grand Slam challenge. Meanwhile, Alexander Zverev seeks to build momentum after reaching the Madrid final, where he fell to Sinner in straight sets.
Sinner and Fils on early colliding crash in heavy-loaded top quarter
The opening quarter presents Jannik Sinner with what appears to be the manageable path up to round of 16. The Italian star receives a first-round bye before facing Alex Michelsen or Sebastian Ofner in second round. His first seeded opponent can be Jakub Mensik, but a real test awaits in possible fourth round, where Arthur Fils will seek the revenge for the straight sets lose to Sinner in Madrid semifinals.
The Frenchman is in an excellent form, being 13-2 on clay in last 52 weeks and 22-6 overall this season which guaranteed him the quick comeback to top 20 of ATP rankings after a few months of injury lay-off. Fils has also won the ATP 500 title in Barcelona earlier in April. However, the Frenchman admitted after losing to Sinner in Madrid that his usual good form is just not enough to beat the world number one in normal circumstances. Before taking on Sinner, Fils will most likely need to overcome Frances Tiafoe in potential round of 32 - the American was recently a semifinalist in Houston and made into quarterfinals of Roland Garros in 2025.
Second best seed in this quarter is Ben Shelton, which promises another potential hit clash in quarterfinals. Shelton has proved his clay court credentials winning ATP 500 tournament in Munich - first one on European clay after winning in Houston on red dirt before. Andrey Rublev - the finalist from Barcelona is also there as 12th seed. However, Rublev's recent struggles against top-10 opponents (0-7 this season in last 52 weeks) and his early Madrid exit to qualifier Vit Kopriva raise questions about his current form.
Analyzing the statistical landscape of this quarter, Jannik Sinner dominates the power metrics with exceptional return games won percentage and dominance ratio, controlling matches from the baseline. Arthur Fils stands out with superior match efficiency ratio and service games won percentage, converting opportunities into victories. Jakub Mensik excells in serving metrics with average of 11.6 aces per match on clay in last 52 weeks.
Second quarters with dark horses and struggling favorites
Fourth seed Felix Auger Aliassime enters this section with clear question marks over his clay court form, holding just a 6-4 record on the surface in rolling year. The Canadian's early Madrid exit to sensational qualifier semifinalist Alexander Blockx highlights his ongoing struggles to translate his hard court success to clay.
Flavio Cobolli represents the home hopes in this quarter, riding a strong 15-5 clay court record and fresh off his great win over Daniil Medvedev in Madrid. The rematch for this exciting three-setter can come as early as in round of 16, as Medvedev is 7th and second highest seed in this quarter. The Russian popularly dislikes playing on clay but festived his best success on this surface in Foro Italico, being quite a surprising winner of 2023 edition. Medvedev will be surely involved in hit clash of second round, as he plays either against Tomas Machac or Stefanos Tsitsipas. When both where regular top 10 players, the rivarly between Medvedev and Tsitsipas has always delivered lots of sparks. Tsitsipas showed some glimpses of good old clay court skills in Monte Carlo and Madrid, despite being slided down in the rankings.
There are a few players who can be considered dark horses in this quarter, already with some success story on clay. 14th seed Valentin Vacherot was a semifinalist in home Masters tournament in Monte Carlo. Tomas Martin Etcheverry won the ATP 250 in Rio De Janeiro in February. Both can collide in possible round of 32 match-up. The 19 years-old youngster Joao Fonseca is also there as 27th seed - posssibly playing against Auger-Aliassime in round of 32 if both stay in contention until there.
This section's statistical profile reveals Flavio Cobolli leading in match efficiency ratio and return games won percentage, translating opportunities into victories effectively. Thiago Agustin Tirante brings powerful serving with exceptional aces per game and first serve points won. Rising star Joao Fonseca demonstrates solid fundamentals with strong service games won percentage and minimal double fault issues.
Third quarter - Djokovic comes back, Musetti looks for statement run
Novak Djokovic finds himself in third quarter during first clay outing in 2026. The Serbian legend has showed some struggles in Masters 1000 clay events in previous seasons during warm up to the most important challenge in Paris. In 2025 Djokovic played very well on clay though, winning the ATP 250 title in Geneva and coming to Roland Garros semis, ultimately losing to Sinner. Djokovic starts his Rome campaign against Marton Fucsovics or qualifier Dino Prizmic who was able to defeat Ben Shelton in Madrid and has an excellent 36-9 clay courts record in all level tournaments last year.
Lorenzo Musetti brings local knowledge and solid clay court credentials to this section, having compiled a 13-5 record on the surface this season. The Italian will try to prove his estimee of clay-courts specialist, however his start of 2026 on favorite surface is quite disappointing with early exit in Monte Carlo, quarterfinal run in Barcelona and just round of 16 in Madrid. Musetti lost there in straight sets to perfect serving Jiri Lehecka. The potential rematch awaits in round of 16, as Lehecka is in third quarter with 11th seed.
From a statistical standpoint, Novak Djokovic excels in dominance ratio and match efficiency ratio, controlling rallies and closing out victories when opportunities arise. Lorenzo Musetti shows strong match efficiency ratio and minimal double fault issues, maintaining consistency under pressure. Jiri Lehecka stands out with excellent double fault control and impressive aces per game (6.9 per match), bringing firepower to clay court tennis.
Zverev leads bottom quarter alongside new rising stars
Second seed Alexander Zverev anchors the bottom quarter following his runner-up finish in Madrid, where he had no real answer for Sinner's game in title match. The German's 19-6 clay court record demonstrates genuine class on the surface, though his concerning 3-13 record against top-10 players in last 52 weeks raises questions about his ability to beat elite opposition when it matters most. Zverev can meet Alexander Blockx in early rounds. The semifinalist of Madrid Open starts against wild card Federico Cina, then possibly playing against 29th seed Tallon Griekspoor.
The dark horse credentials belong to qualifier Rafael Jodar, whose stunning victory over sixth seed Alex De Minaur in Madrid announced his arrival on the big stage. The Spaniard's aggressive baseline game and fearless approach could trouble higher-ranked opponents in Rome's intimidating atmosphere.
Same as in above quarters, fourth one does also bring some revenge potential. Jodar is seeded in Masters tournament for first time in career, being 32nd and possible first seeded opponent of De Minaur in third round. The Aussie notes a little setback of form after really good start to the season trademarked with ATP 500 Rotterdam title. De Minaur made into quarters in Monte Carlo, but suffered unexpected early lose in Barcelona to Hamad Medjedovic and lost to Jodar in Madrid, being really dominated by the young Spaniard.
De Minaur faces difficult path since the start, as he awaits the winner between Jaume Munar and Matteo Arnaldi. The Italian comes here with wild card, fresh off his great win in ATP 175 Sardegna Open - the tournament fully covered on-site by TennisRatio. Arnaldi showed lots of grit in his matches against class opponents as for the Challenger Tour level and playing against top seed in front of home crowd will surely be additional boost for him.
Tommy Paul emerges as a potential spoiler in this section, carrying an outstanding 12-3 clay court record into Rome. The American's 80.0% win rate on clay and impressive 49.6% break point conversion rate make him one of the tournament's most in-form players, despite his early Madrid exit to qualifier Thiago Agustin Tirante.
This quarter's statistical breakdown shows Rafael Jodar leading in return games won percentage and match efficiency ratio, maximizing his opportunities against quality opponents. Alexander Zverev dominates the dominance ratio and return games won categories, controlling match dynamics effectively. Tommy Paul excels in match efficiency ratio and breakpoints converted percentage, demonstrating clutch performance in key moments.
The projected bottom-half semifinal between Djokovic and Zverev would recreate their compelling Roland Garros encounter from 2025, where the Serbian rallied from set down to reach the semifinal. Both players possess the experience and clay court pedigree to handle the pressure of Rome's passionate crowds.
