2025 Italian Open Men’s Draw: Preview and Prediction featuring Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, and Casper Ruud

The qualifying rounds of both the Men’s and Women’s Italian Open are underway at the Foro Italico in Rome. Men’s singles main draw is scheduled to start on 7.

The Italian Open is the third clay-court Masters 1000 of the season, following the Monte Carlo Masters and the Madrid Open. Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud lifted the title in these two events, respectively.

Tournament Details

• Tournament: 2025 Italian Open
• Date: May 7- May 18
• No. of Entrants: 96 (Singles)
• Venue: Foro Italico, Rome, Italy
• Surface: Outdoor clay court
• Total Prize Money Pool: $9,127,959
• Defending Champion: Alexander Zverev

Top seeds at the 2025 Italian Open

• Jannik Sinner
• Alexander Zverev
• Carlos Alcaraz
• Taylor Fritz
• Jack Draper
• Casper Ruud
• Alex de Minaur
• Lorenzo Musetti
• Holger Rune
• Daniil Medvedev

First quarter

The first quarter features Frances Tiafoe, Ben Shelton, Matteo Berrettini, and Alexander Bublik, among others. But all eyes will be on Jannik Sinner, who will be playing his first match since winning the Australian Open final against Alexander Zverev in January.

Things won’t be easy for Sinner, as he will be playing his home tournament without having any match practice. If he reaches the quarterfinals, he could set up a clash with Casper Ruud, who lifted this year’s Madrid Open, becoming the first Norwegian to take home a Masters 1000 title.

Quarterfinal prediction: Jannik Sinner vs. Casper Ruud

Second quarter

Brazilian sensation Joao Fonseca is a part of this quarter. But because he did not progress to the fourth round of all the Masters 1000 tournaments he played this season, he won’t be the favorite to reach the quarterfinals.

His fellow Next Gen ATP player Jakub Mensik is expected to reach the quarterfinals, given that he lifted the Miami Open by beating Novak Djokovic (withdrew from the Italian Open) and also reached the last eight of the Madrid Open. This quarter also features another talented young gun, last year’s Next Gen ATP Finals runner-up Learner Tien.

Taylor Fritz, who is yet to reach a final this season, won’t be the favorite to advance to the quarterfinals. Alex de Minaur, who had decent performances on the clay swing so far, could meet Mensik if both of them reach the last eight.

Quarterfinal prediction: Jakub Mensik vs. Alex de Minaur

Third quarter

Madrid Open runner-up Jack Draper and Carlos Alcaraz will be the favorites to make it to the quarterfinals. Before Rome, Alcaraz withdrew from the Madrid Open due to an injury he suffered during the Barcelona Open final.

Alcaraz will be chasing his first title in the tournament. He has also not yet reached the final. Apart from these two players, this quarter also has this year’s Barcelona Open champion Holger Rune, Grigor Dimitrov, and Lorenzo Sonego, among others.

Quarterfinal prediction: Jack Draper vs. Carlos Alcaraz

Fourth quarter

Defending champion Alexander Zverev is projected to meet Lorenzo Musetti in the last eight. The German is a two-time champion in the tournament (2017 and 2024).

Last year’s Paris Olympics bronze medalist Musetti too is expected to have a decent campaign. Before Rome, he lost the Monte Carlo Masters final to Carlos Alcaraz, and in Madrid, he progressed to the semifinals.

Quarterfinal prediction: Lorenzo Musetti vs. Alexander Zverev

Semifinals

Despite his three-month doping ban, Jannik Sinner will be the favorite to reach the semifinals. Last year he skipped the tournament because of an injury.

Carlos Alcaraz is one of the best clay-court players so it won’t be surprising if he reaches another semifinal. Alexander Zverev, who lifted the BMW Open, is the favorite to reach another final in the Italian capital.

Semifinal prediction:

• Jannik Sinner vs. Jakub Mensik
• Alexander Zverev vs. Carlos Alcaraz

Final

Alexander Zverev, however, could run into Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals. If this happens, then the latter would be the favorite to reach the summit clash.

Jannik Sinner is expected to beat Jakub Mensik to set up a blockbuster showdown against Alcaraz. Given that Alcaraz has more success on the red dirt than the World No.1, he could take home his first title in the tournament.

Final prediction: Jannik Sinner vs. Carlos Alcaraz
Winner prediction: Carlos Alcaraz

Also read: Ex-WTA star points out major problem Coco Gauff is dealing with after defeat to Aryna Sabalenka in Madrid Open final