2024 Rome Open Preview: Sunday showdown featuring Sabalenka, Djokovic, Shelton and Collins – Garcia

The schedule for Sunday, May 12th at the Rome Open has been revealed. The day will be led by the ATP world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and the WTA No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka. On the men's side, the third round will begin with the last 32 players in competition, while on the WTA side, the last 8 players to qualify for the round of 16 will be determined.

Our preview looks ahead to some of the top ties and leading storylines ahead of Day Seven at the Rome Open and which matches to look out for.

Novak Djokovic will face the world No. 32 Alejandro Tabilo for the first time in his career. The 24-times Grand Slam champion secured a straightforward victory against Corentin Moutet in the opening round and this time he will face an opponent who comes with a lot of confidence and little to lose. The Chilean secured his first title earlier this year and has established himself as a top-40 player in recent months with good results, feeling especially comfortable on clay courts.

Other protagonists of the day will be the American players. In an interesting duel, Taylor Fritz (No. 13) will play against his compatriot Sebastian Korda (No. 7), both coming off victories against the locals Fabio Fognini (No. 92) and Flavio Cobolli (No. 57). Additionally, the 21-years-old star Ben Shelton (No. 14) will face Zhinzheng Zhang (No. 56).

On the Center Court, Alexander Zverev (No. 5) will close the day against the Italian Luciano Darderi (No. 54). The Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov (No. 19) will also take to the court against Terence Atmane (No. 137), while Karen Khachanov (No. 18) will face Francisco Cerundolo (No. 2Djokovic

The world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka struggled in her opening match against Katie Volynets but accelerated for an impressive comeback after the first set. Rome is the WTA 1000 event where she has achieved the fewest positive results, with just a 5-5 (50%) record, although she reached the semifinals in 2022. The Belarusian won't have it easy against the Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska (No. 33)

One of the most attractive duels of the day will be between the American Danielle Collins (No. 15) and Caroline Garcia (No. 23). Collins has won 16 of her last 17 matches and will face a tough challenge against the Frenchwoman.

Also taking to the court will be the 2-times champion Elina Svitolina (No. 19), who has gone months without a string of good results but feels most comfortable in Rome, as demonstrated by her dominant debut win against Sara Errani (6-0, 6-2). The Ukrainian will face the Russian Anna Kalinskaya (No. 26).