Medvedev and Musetti Highlight Exciting Matchups at Rome Masters

ROME, Italy — The second week of the Rome Masters kicks off with two exciting matchups: Daniil Medvedev faces Alexei Popyrin, and American Brandon Nakashima takes on local favorite Lorenzo Musetti.

Daniil Medvedev, ranked No. 11, has had a challenging season, failing to secure any titles so far in 2025. Although his career-best rank is No. 1, this year has been inconsistent for the Russian. However, following a strong performance in Madrid, hope is on the horizon as he looks to regain form on clay. Medvedev, seeded tenth, dispatched Cam Norrie in the second round.

In his matchup, Medvedev will go head-to-head with Alexei Popyrin, currently ranked No. 24. Historically, Medvedev has won three of their four meetings, but none took place on clay. Popyrin, struggling this season, has only won one of his last four matches but did manage a quarterfinal appearance in Monte-Carlo. He may pose a threat to Medvedev, particularly on the slower clay courts of Rome.

Meanwhile, Lorenzo Musetti, the ninth seed, will compete against Nakashima. Musetti comes into the match with a strong record, having recently made it to the finals in Monte-Carlo and the semis in Madrid. He is currently enjoying a career-high ranking and has the home crowd on his side. They previously met at the 2024 U.S. Open, where Nakashima emerged victorious.

The atmosphere promises to be electric as both Musetti and Nakashima bring their talents to the court. Musetti’s confidence is at an all-time high, but he must be cautious of fatigue as he pushes for victory in front of his home fans.

The winners of these matches will advance to the Round of 16, where they will face off against each other. Predictions have been split, with some favoring Musetti for his form and home advantage, while others believe Medvedev will ultimately prevail.

As the Rome Masters continues, all eyes will be on these upcoming matches, shaping the tournament’s future.