Alexei Popyrin vs Holger Rune Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Italian Open

Prediction published on 15/05/2023, 11:41  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 15/05/2023 at 12:42 in Tennis Predictions

Seventh seeded Holger Rune attempts to reach the last eight of the Rome Masters for the first time. He faces qualifIer Alexei Popyrin in the fourth round of this outdoor clay court tournament. A tough quarter final is on the horizon with the winner facing either Cameron Norrie or top seeded Novak Djokovic. Rune is in the main draw of this Rome Masters for the first time after previously failing to get past the first qualifying round. The Danish world number seven has had a good European clay court season. He was the losing finalist in Monte Carlo (beating both Medvedev and Sinner) but won the title in Munich. He lost in the last 32 in Madrid but has bounced back well in Rome and won both of his matches in straight sets.

Alexei Popyrin was ranked 77th at the start of this Rome Masters but is down to 81st in the live list. That's because he's just about to drop points for a Challenger Tour win this time last year. The Australian had to qualify to get into the main draw of this tournament for the first time. He was the top seed in the qualifying rounds and despite dropping a set in his first match to Riccardio Bonadio, he then had a straight sets win over Andrea Pellegrino. Finally in the main draw, he hasn't looked back since. Round two saw him beat the tenth seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime in three sets. That was followed by a straight sets win over fellow qualifier Roman Safiulin. This is his fourth quarter final of the year but his first on clay. This is their first meeting and we go for Rune to win in straight sets.