Rome Open ATP Day Two Round-Up: Matteo Berrettini and Stefanos Tsitsipas suffer early exits as Popyrin and Machac advance
ATPThursday, 07 May 2026 at 22:30
The ATP Rome Open first round produced a wide-ranging set of outcomes at Foro Italico, with Matteo Berrettini, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Denis Shapovalov all eliminated alongside several tightly contested three-set encounters. Cristian Garin, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, Marin Čilić and Alexander Blockx were among those advancing in a draw that quickly began to fragment across early sections.
Across the Rome Open opening round, form trajectories and surface adaptation proved decisive, particularly for seeded players adjusting to clay conditions after Madrid. The early exits of Tsitsipas and Shapovalov, combined with wins for rising names such as Blockx and Mpetshi Perricard, significantly altered the balance of the draw heading into the second round, where higher-ranked opposition now awaits several qualifiers and wildcards.
Popyrin takes control to eliminate Berrettini
Alexei Popyrin def. Matteo Berrettini 6-2, 6-3
Popyrin established control early against Matteo Berrettini, immediately targeting the Italian’s second serve and creating separation through baseline depth. The Australian’s return positioning neutralised Berrettini’s attempt to dominate short exchanges, with the opening set quickly tilting in his favour as he broke twice to set the tone.
The match pattern did not materially shift after the opening set, as Popyrin continued to apply pressure on return games, forcing Berrettini into extended service holds. Berrettini faced repeated break threats, and Popyrin’s ability to win 56% of return points on second serve proved decisive in preventing any sustained Italian recovery.
Statistically, Popyrin’s superior conversion rate on break points and a higher first-serve points won percentage underpinned the outcome. He advances in the Rome Open draw with a more efficient baseline structure, while Berrettini exits early, opening the section for a reshaped second-round pathway.
Tsitsipas eliminated by Macháč in straight sets
Tomáš Macháč def. Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 7-6
Macháč took control early by targeting Tsitsipas’ backhand wing in extended baseline exchanges, earning the first-set break through consistent depth and angle variation. Tsitsipas initially struggled to stabilise his service rhythm, allowing the Czech player to dictate early rallies.
The contest tightened in the second set, where Tsitsipas improved his first-serve effectiveness and forced longer service holds. However, Macháč maintained return pressure, particularly in neutral rallies, ultimately prevailing in the tiebreak through more efficient second-serve points and reduced unforced errors in key exchanges.
Macháč’s higher first-serve points won percentage and superior break-point efficiency proved decisive in closing out both sets. He progresses in the Rome Open with a notable top-seed elimination, while Tsitsipas exits despite briefly shifting momentum late in set two. A major step up awaits in the second round against Daniil Medvedev in a high-intensity baseline matchup.
Shapovalov overpowered by Navone
Mariano Navone def. Denis Shapovalov 6-4, 6-2
Navone set the tactical tone early by engaging Shapovalov in extended baseline exchanges, targeting consistency over pace. The Argentine absorbed early pressure before establishing control through deeper rally positioning and forcing errors off Shapovalov’s forehand under movement stress.
The second set saw Navone increase return aggression, stepping further inside the court to neutralise Shapovalov’s serve patterns. A double-break sequence early in the set effectively ended resistance, with Shapovalov unable to stabilise his second-serve points under sustained pressure.
Navone’s higher break conversion rate and superior return efficiency defined the match outcome. He advances in the Rome Open draw with controlled baseline execution, while Shapovalov exits after failing to convert early hold dominance into sustained scoreboard pressure.
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Garin holds firm to defeat Cerúndolo
Cristian Garin def. Juan Manuel Cerúndolo 7-6, 7-5
Garin and Cerúndolo produced a closely balanced opening set shaped by service holds and controlled baseline exchanges, with neither player consistently breaking through rally patterns. Garin’s greater reliability in neutral rallies allowed him to edge the tiebreak through reduced error count.
The second set followed a similar structure until Garin increased depth on return games, forcing Cerúndolo into shorter defensive replies. The decisive break came through sustained pressure in extended rallies, with Garin managing key service games more efficiently to close the match.
Garin’s marginally higher first-serve effectiveness and superior break-point conversion proved decisive in tight scorelines. He advances in the Rome Open draw to face higher-seeded opposition, extending his clay-court consistency. He now faces Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in a significantly more demanding second-round test.
Mpetshi Perricard overcomes Fearnley in three sets
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard def. Jacob Fearnley 7-6, 4-6, 6-2
Mpetshi Perricard relied heavily on serve dominance in the opening set, saving set points before edging a tiebreak through first-serve reliability. Fearnley initially countered with improved return depth, particularly in neutral baseline exchanges.
The match shifted in the third set after Mpetshi Perricard increased first-serve efficiency and reduced second-serve vulnerability. Fearnley’s level dropped in extended rallies, allowing the Frenchman to break early and consolidate momentum.
Mpetshi Perricard finished with a higher first-serve points won percentage and superior service hold rate in the decider, reflecting the decisive structural difference. He progresses in the Rome Open draw, where his serve profile remains a key factor against upcoming opposition. He advances to a second-round clash with Lorenzo Musetti in a stylistically contrasting encounter on clay.
Marin Čilić controls Giron in straight sets
Marin Čilić def. Marcos Giron 7-5, 6-4
Čilić established early control through aggressive first-strike tennis, targeting Giron’s second serve and preventing baseline rhythm development. The Croatian’s return positioning created sustained pressure in both sets.
Giron remained competitive through service holds but struggled to generate break opportunities as Čilić consistently neutralised return games. The key break in each set came from extended deuce games where Čilić’s serve-plus-one pattern proved more efficient.
Čilić’s higher first-serve points won percentage and superior break conversion rate defined the match structure. He advances in the Rome Open draw with a controlled straight-sets win, reinforcing his efficiency in short-format clay matches. He will meet lucky loser Martín Landaluce in the next round following Valentin Vacherot’s withdrawal due to injury.
Blockx recovers to defeat Cinà
Alexander Blockx def. Federico Cinà 4-6, 6-1, 6-3
Cinà started the match by disrupting Blockx’s timing through early baseline aggression, taking the opening set by controlling rally length and exploiting second-serve vulnerability. Blockx initially struggled to stabilise serve patterns.
The match turned sharply in the second set as Blockx increased first-serve percentage and reduced unforced errors. He shifted return positioning closer to the baseline, breaking Cinà repeatedly and taking control of rally dynamics.
Blockx closed with stronger service hold efficiency and superior break-point conversion across the final two sets. He advances in the Rome Open draw, maintaining strong clay-court form after recent deep runs.
Lucas MichaelTennis Journalist
Lucas Michael is a sports journalist based in Cambridge, UK. He writes for DartsNews and TennisUpToDate, where he covers professional tennis and darts through reports, analysis, round-ups, and liveblogs.
A key part of his work is live coverage of tennis, including the Grand Slams and major ATP and WTA tournaments on tour. He delivers real-time updates alongside match reports and tournament summaries, with a focus on clear analysis and accurate context around results, form, and wider tour developments.
Lucas holds a BA (Hons) in Sports Journalism. In his work, he places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating content promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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