Is the ATP Rome Masters the most wide-open tournament so far this season? With Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner not participating, and Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal exiting early, the likes of Felix Auger-Aliassime and Alex de Minaur will be eyeing up the silverware. Only one of them can move into the round of 16, however, with the pair due to meet this afternoon in Rome.
For Auger-Aliassime, the Canadian has finally begun to find some form after a long barren patch. The former world No 6 fell off the pace big time in 2023, dropping out of the world’s top 30 recently as a result. However, a run to the final in Madrid where he lost narrowly to Andrey Rublev has done wonders for both his ranking and confidence heading into this tournament.
De Minaur, on the other hand, continues to enjoy some brilliant form in the last six months. The Australian began the year with success in the United Cup, before winning a title in Acapulco and making the final of Rotterdam. Early exits in Barcelona and Madrid have put a bit of a cooler on his form, but the Demon will be eager to grab some wins on clay ahead of Roland-Garros.
Who wins what looks like it could be a very tight match up? Read on for our Auger-Aliassime vs De Minaur prediction and betting tips.
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How the Bookies View It: De Minaur Ahead, Just
Bookmakers agree that this could be a close match. De Minaur is given the edge at 4/7, but only just, with Auger-Aliassime not far off on 11/8. Set betting favours De Minaur to win 2-0, with this outcome returning 7/5.
Recent Head-to-Head: All FAA So Far
What makes this encounter interesting is Auger-Aliassime leads the pair’s head-to-head 2-0. The 23-year-old prevailed twice in 2022, winning both matches comfortably for the loss of seven and five games. They’ve never met on clay, however.
Anything Else Catch the Eye?
Auger-Aliassime is often seen as an indoor hard-court guy, because of his incredible run in late 2022. Thing is, he’s pretty handy on clay, too. The Canadian has made the round of 16 at Roland-Garros, the final at Madrid, plus the quarter-finals here in Rome before.
We say this match will be determined by two things: De Minaur’s movement, and Auger-Aliassime’s forehand. The Aussie is still not at his best on the surface, compared to hard courts. This impacts his movement around the court, which is one of his key weapons.
In terms of FAA’s forehand, this has been an ongoing area of concern for him. When it’s on, it’s on, and can win the man titles. When it’s not, however, his whole game plan struggles. In round one, he made six forehand groundstroke winners, and seven unforced errors.
Auger-Aliassime vs De Minaur Betting Tips & Predictions
Unlike the previous encounters between these two, we predict a battle here. We can’t quite bring ourselves to back Auger-Aliassime, but the Canadian should at least nick a set as De Minaur advances.
- De Minaur to win 2-1 @ 11/4
- Total games over 23.5 @ 11/10
Auger-Aliassime and De Minaur take to the stage first on Grand Stand Arena, so get your bets in nice and quick to capitalise on these tips.
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