Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the ATP Rome match.
For Roberto Carballés Baena, this match presents another opportunity to highlight his strengths on his favoured surface. The Spaniard has long focused on clay courts, and the conditions in Rome align well with his game. Sebastián Ofner, who reached the main draw through qualifying, is aiming to halt a disappointing spell that has seen him drop outside the ATP top 100.
Roberto Carballés Baena
Roberto Carballés Baena is currently in strong form. The experienced Spaniard has shown particular consistency against lower-ranked opponents, having won seven of his last ten matches against players ranked below him. His recent clay-court performances have been especially solid—he reached the semi-finals in Marrakech not long ago. In that Moroccan tournament, Carballés Baena defeated Nuno Borges, who was ranked No. 40 at the time, before losing to the eventual champion Luciano Darderi. Even in defeat, he maintained a first serve success rate of 70%, an indicator of his steady performance.
Sebastián Ofner
The Austrian, by contrast, has seen his ranking slip below the top 100 and appears short on confidence. Sebastián Ofner has lost five of his last seven matches against top-100 opponents. While his serve remains a weapon, he frequently loses control of points during extended rallies on clay. This season, he's also encountered problems against players ranked outside the top 100. In Murcia, he fell to Kimmer Coppejans, ranked 275th, and in Menorca, he lost to Vilius Gaubas, currently ranked 154th. Their only previous meeting ended in a straight-sets win for Roberto Carballés Baena (7:5, 6:3), although that encounter was not on clay.
Roberto Carballés Baena vs Sebastián Ofner Prediction
Roberto Carballés Baena looks well-positioned to claim another victory here. His reliable first serve, natural comfort on clay, and ability to dictate play through physically intense exchanges make him a formidable opponent. In contrast, Sebastián Ofner has faltered even against less challenging competition, and it’s hard to see him overcoming a consistent player like Carballés Baena.
