Lob and Smash
Fansided

Who to watch in men’s singles at the Italian Open on Thursday

By Harry Floyd

MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 12: Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns the ball in his men's singles final against Stefano Tsitsipas of Greece during day nine of the Mutua Madrid Open at La Caja Magica on May 12, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 12: Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns the ball in his men's singles final against Stefano Tsitsipas of Greece during day nine of the Mutua Madrid Open at La Caja Magica on May 12, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Several stars in men’s singles are taking to the courts on Thursday at the 2019 Italian Open. Let’s dive deeper into the action.

Many of the top players in men’s singles tennis are in action this Thursday at the 2019 Italian Open in Rome, Italy. Among them is defending and eight-time champion Rafael Nadal. The King of Clay takes on French tennis player Jeremy Chardy first in Rome. Chardy is coming off of a hard-fought win over fellow countryman Richard Gasquet.

Nadal ought to be considered the heavy favorite in this matchup. The eight-time defending champ in Rome defeated 2017 winner Alexander Zverev last year in the finals, taking the championship match 6–1, 1–6, 6–3.

Hot. 5 French Open Favorites. light

The King of Clay is the second seed at the Italian Open. The top seed is recent Madrid Open title-winner Novak Djokovic. The Serbian tennis star is carrying some serious momentum into the action in Rome. He is fresh off of a finals win in Madrid where he took down #NextGenATP star Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets.

First up for Djokovic in Rome is young Canadian up and comer Denis Shapovalov. The rising ATP star knocked out Pablo Carreño Busta in the round of 64 and could throw a slight challenge Djokovic’s way next.

We still like Djokovic here though as it’s difficult to bet against him right now. Nole has won the last three Grand Slam men’s singles titles and is coming off of a title in Madrid where he did not drop a single set.

The third seed at the 2019 Italian Open is none other than Roger Federer. The Swiss tennis legend takes to the courts to face João Sousa of Portugal first. Sousa is coming off of a round of 64 win over rising American player Frances Tiafoe. It was Sousa who survived a grueling three-set match between the two, dispatching Tiafoe after winning a final set tiebreak.

dark. Next. Can Federer win the French Open?

Djokovic is a four-time champion in men’s singles at the Italian Open. Nadal, with his eight titles and defending-champ status is arguably the favorite right alongside Djokovic. Do not discount Federer though. All three take to the courts on Thursday along with other stars to watch such as Dominic Thiem, Marin Cilic, Kei Nishikori, and Nick Kyrgios among others.

Home/ATP