Rome Open 2026: Tsitsipas faces his nemesis Machac, and Berrettini's day of triumph.

The Rome Open 2026 officially kicks off on May 7th with promising scenarios on the clay courts. This is not simply the opening round, but also an important test of the mental state and form of the stars ahead of Roland Garros, with the highlight being the clash between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Tomas Machac.

Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Tomas Machac: A test of mental fortitude

The match between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Tomas Machac (scheduled for 8 PM) is crucial for the Greek player in his efforts to regain his former status. After a period of declining form that saw his ranking drop out of the top 80, Tsitsipas is showing strong signs of a resurgence since the Madrid Open.

Tsitsipas' most formidable weapon remains his devastating forehand on clay. However, the challenge from Tomas Machac is considerable. The Czech player is known for his tenacious playing style, intelligent ball control, and previously gave Jannik Sinner a tough time in Monte Carlo.

The head-to-head record between the two is currently tied at 1-1. While Tsitsipas has the edge in terms of experience at ATP 1000 tournaments, Machac possesses greater mental stability. This is predicted to be a closely contested match lasting three sets, where composure at crucial points will determine the winner.

Matteo Berrettini: The heat from the Rome stands

At around 4 PM, Italy's number one hope, Matteo Berrettini, will begin his home run against Alexei Popyrin. Despite being outside the top 100 due to injury, Berrettini remains a formidable opponent when fueled by his home crowd.

Statistics show Berrettini completely dominates with 4 wins in 5 encounters with Popyrin. Conversely, the Australian player is in a serious crisis, having won only 4 out of 16 matches since the start of the season. With his thunderous serve and high spirits in Rome, a quick victory for Berrettini was the predicted outcome.

Marin Cilic's experience will go up against Marcos Giron's tenacity.

The 5:30 PM match between 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic and Marcos Giron is a battle of two contrasting styles. Cilic brings the class of a seasoned star, while Giron represents a tenacious, physical style of play.

Despite his fitness being a major question mark after withdrawing in Madrid, Cilic is still considered the favorite due to his ability to control the game. However, Giron has just rediscovered his form after reaching the quarterfinals in Cagliari, and promises to exploit any weaknesses in the Croatian player's movement.

Rome Open main event schedule for May 7th

Below is the schedule for the most notable matches in the first round of the men's singles:

Besides the men's competition, the women's singles also featured exciting matches with the appearance of Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, and the return of Simona Halep, promising an explosive day of competition in the Italian capital.