Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the ATP Rome match.
Argentina’s Camilo Ugo Carabelli faces a monumental challenge in the second round of the Rome Masters — up against world No. 2 and defending champion Alexander Zverev. The German has already triumphed twice in the Italian capital and returns as one of the firm favourites for the 2025 title.
Camilo Ugo Carabelli
Carabelli is enjoying a breakthrough season, having cracked the top 100 for the first time and now sitting at a career-high No. 60. He impressed during the South American clay swing, reaching the semi-finals in both Santiago and Rio. However, his transition to European clay has been less convincing. He failed to get through qualifying in Rome and needed three sets to get past Pablo Carreño Busta in the main draw, landing just 61% of his first serves. When it comes to top-10 opposition, the stats are bleak: four matches, four losses, and not a single set won.
Alexander Zverev
Zverev, meanwhile, continues to reinforce his reputation as a dominant clay-court force. He has now won all eight of his opening matches across his last eight Masters 1000 appearances. Although he suffered an early elimination in Madrid at the hands of Francisco Cerúndolo, he bounced back by claiming the title in Munich. With a Rome title to defend and his world No. 2 ranking on the line, Zverev’s motivation will be sky-high.
Camilo Ugo Carabelli vs Alexander Zverev Prediction
Carabelli has struggled to rise to the occasion against elite opponents, and it’s unlikely that changes here. Zverev rarely slows down in early rounds, especially in tournaments where he’s defending points. Expect a clinical performance from the German.
