PREVIEW | Rome Open 2025 - Quarterfinals: Jannik Sinner's biggest test yet against Ruud, Tommy Paul looks to upset Hurkacz
ATPThursday, 15 May 2025 at 08:32
Action continues at the last clay-court Masters 1000 of the season with another high-stakes quarterfinal day in the Rome Open. On Thursday, May 15, Jannik Sinner will face a his biggest challenge as he takes one of the tour's most in-form players, Norway's Casper Ruud, for a place in the semis. Meanwhile, the last American standing, Tommy Paul, will battle Poland's Hubert Hurkacz.
The road to the 2025 Rome Open title is entering its final stretch, with the last two quarterfinal spots to be decided today. Carlos Alcaraz and Lorenzo Musetti have already booked their places in the final four after coming through their respective matchups. The Spanish star overcame Jack Draper, while Musetti thrilled the home crowd with a gritty win over Germany's Alexander Zverev.
Let´s take a closer look at Thursday's two remaingin quarterfinal matchups at the Foro Italico:
Tommy Paul vs. Hubert Hurkacz
In what may be the least expected matchup of the quarterfinals, American Tommy Paul will be taking on Poland's Hubert Hurkacz.
Paul, currently ranked No. 12, started the season strong with a quarterfinal run at the Australian Open. However, his dipped afterward, and despite breaking into the top 10 for the first time in his career, he couldn't hold on to his spot after early exits at both Indian Wells and Miami.
Clay, though, has brought a resurgence. Paul reached the fourth round in Madrid and is now among the final eight in Rome after defeating Roberto Bautista Agut, Tomas Machac and finally Alex de Minaur -snapping a five-match losing streak against the Aussie-. Riding a wave of confidence, Paul has emerged as the top American on clay and seems far from satisfied.
Tommy Paul, feeling very comfortable in Rome's clay
Hurkacz, on the other hand, has struggled with inconsistency throughout the season -when injuries haven't sidelined him. After peaking in Rotterdam, the world's No.31 has failed to gain traction elsewhere.
But in Rome, he appears to have rediscovered his game, especially after surviving a dramatic three-hour thriller against Miami Open champion, Jakub Mensik in the round of 16.
We're in for a tight contest, with Hurkacz holding a narrow 3-2 edge in ther head-to-head. Their most recent clash? Right here at the Foro Italico, one year ago.
Match Info:
Hubert Hurkacz - Tommy Paul
Start time (local): Thu, 15 May, 1:00 PM
Start time (your time): Thu, 15 May, 7:00 PM
Court: Campo Centrale
Tournament: Internazionali BNL d'Italia
Round: Quarterfinal
Head-to-Head
| Hurkacz | Paul | |
|---|---|---|
| H2H Record | ||
| Total Wins | 3 | 2 |
| Win Streak | 0 | 2 |
| Ranking | ||
| Official Ranking | 31 | 12 |
| Race Ranking | 61 | 17 |
| Live Ranking | ||
| Live Ranking | 31 | 12 |
| Live Race Ranking | 45 (+20) | 14 (+3) |
| Bios | ||
| Age | 28 (11 Feb 1997) | 27 (17 May 1997) |
| Birthplace | Wrocław, Poland | - |
| Residence | Monte Carlo, Monaco | - |
| Height | 6'5" (196cm) | 6'0" (185cm) |
| Weight | 179lbs (81kg) | 181lbs (82kg) |
| Plays | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) | Right |
| Turned Pro | 2015 | 2015 |
| Coach | Craig Boynton (2019–2024), Ivan Lendl, | - |
| YTD W/L | 9-6 (60%) | 20-7 (74%) |
| YTD Titles | - | - |
| Career Titles | 8 | - |
| Prize Money | US$16,363,930 - 44th all-time leader in earnings | - |
| Past Meetings | ||
|
T Paul d H Hurkacz ATP Rome - Quarterfinal7-5 | 3-6 | 6-3 16 May 2024 |
||
|
T Paul d H Hurkacz ATP Indian Wells - Round of 324-6 | 6-2 | 6-4 13 Mar 2023 |
||
|
H Hurkacz d T Paul ATP Paris - Round of 327-5 | 7-6 3 Nov 2021 |
||
|
H Hurkacz d T Paul UTR Pro Match Series -4-1 | 0-4 | 4-1 9 May 2020 |
||
|
H Hurkacz d T Paul UTR Pro Match Series -4-2 | 4-0 8 May 2020 |
||
Jannik Sinner vs. Casper Ruud
The world's No. 1's return to action hasn't lacked for challenges, but so far, Jannik Sinner has handled them with poise. Playing in front of his home fans, he has yet to drop a set in Rome. He cruised past Mariano Navone and Jesper de Jong before overcoming a major hurdle in Francisco Cerundolo, the top South American this season and a constant threat to top-10 players.
The 90-day break doesn't seem to have impacted Sinner much, with only brief lapses in focus so far at the Foro Italico. Now, he faces a major test against one fo the clay-court elite: Casper Ruud.
The Norwegian, ranked No. 6, is in top form, coming off his maiden Masters 1000 title in Madrid and playing with impressive composure. Only Alexander Bublik managed to take a set off him this week. A win over the world No. 1 would be a huge confidence boost heading into Roland Garros -especially since Ruud has never beaten Sinner in their previous meetings.
Match Info:
Jannik Sinner - Casper Ruud
Start time (local): Thu, 15 May, 7:00 PM
Start time (your time): Fri, 16 May, 1:00 AM
Court: Campo Centrale
Tournament: Internazionali BNL d'Italia
Round: Quarterfinal
Head-to-Head
| Sinner | Ruud | |
|---|---|---|
| H2H Record | ||
| Total Wins | 4 | 0 |
| Win Streak | 4 | 0 |
| Ranking | ||
| Official Ranking | 1 | 7 |
| Race Ranking | 4 | 5 |
| Live Ranking | ||
| Live Ranking | 1 | 7 |
| Live Race Ranking | 4 | 5 |
| Bios | ||
| Age | 23 (16 Aug 2001) | 26 (22 Dec 1998) |
| Birthplace | Innichen, South Tyrol, Italy | Oslo, Norway |
| Residence | Monte Carlo, Monaco | Snarøya, Norway |
| Height | 6'3" (191cm) | 6'0" (183cm) |
| Weight | 150lbs (68kg) | 170lbs (77kg) |
| Plays | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) |
| Turned Pro | 2018 | 2015 |
| Coach | Simone Vagnozzi, Darren Cahill | Christian Ruud, Pedro Clar |
| YTD W/L | 10-0 (100%) | 20-6 (77%) |
| YTD Titles | 1 | 1 |
| Career Titles | 19 | 13 |
| Prize Money | US $39,389,088 - 9th all-time in earnings | US $23,439,827 - - 26th all-time in earnings |
| Past Meetings | ||
|
J Sinner d C Ruud ATP World Tour Finals - Semifinal6-1 | 6-2 16 Nov 2024 |
||
|
J Sinner d C Ruud Exhibition Kooyong Classic -6-2 | 6-3 11 Jan 2024 |
||
|
J Sinner d C Ruud ATP Vienna - Quarterfinal7-5 | 6-1 29 Oct 2021 |
||
|
J Sinner d C Ruud ATP Vienna - Round of 327-6 | 6-3 28 Oct 2020 |
||
The winners of these two clashes will meet in Friday's semifinals. Can Ruud snap Sinner's impressive winning streak? Will Tommy Paul reach the Rome semifinals for the second straight year?
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