Yannick Hanfmann vs Taylor Fritz Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Italian Open

Prediction published on 13/05/2023, 04:04  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 13/05/2023 at 06:14 in Tennis Predictions

Qualifier Yannick Hanfmann will look to cause an upset on Saturday when he faces ninth seed Taylor Fritz in the second round of the Rome Masters. Hanfmann's debut in this outdoor clay court tournament has been superb so far, having started from the qualifying rounds, and has won all his three matches without dropping a set. He beat the unseeded Nicolas Jarry in the first round and should have the momentum to subdue Fritz. Of his 25 wins this season, 20 have come on clay and this should have him well-prepared for a deep run here. The German has made it through to the main draw after starting in the qualifiers in five tournaments this season with his highlight coming in Houston where he went all the way to the semifinals. His run in Rome has lifted him back to the top 100 and is currently ranked 98th in the live rankings.

Taylor Fritz arrives in Rome ranked ninth in the world but can move up to sixth if he wins the tournament. The American number one has already won one title this season with his success at the Delray Beach Open. Though not a great performer on clay, Fritz has been excellent on the surface this season with seven wins from the 10 matches he has played. This run has seen him make the semifinals in Monte-Carlo and Munich and will target at least the same in what is his sixth appearance in this Masters 1000 tournament. Fritz has never gone past the second round here and has twice lost in this stage including in his last appearance back in 2021. The winner here will set up a third-round clash with either 21-seed Roberto Bautista Agut or the unseeded Marco Cecchinato.