Goffin – Verdasco

David Goffin (10th ATP)

After the Madrid tournament, where he was eliminated in quarter-finals by Nadal, the Belgian player began his adventure in Rome with a victory. Although he gave the first set to tie-break in confrontation with Bellucci, Goffin managed to come back and return the fate of the game. It was the 9th victory over clay this year in 12 disputed games. The best performance so far has been at Monte Carlo, where it was eliminated by the same Nadal in the semifinals.

In the previous two participations in Rome, the Belgian stopped each time in quarters. Ferrer and Muray, were the stumbling blocks. One trophy won on clay in 2014 in Kitzbuhel (Austria)

Fernando Verdasco (37th ATP)

On the other side, the Iberian went in the first round of D.Young, in the minimum number of sets, score 6-3, 6-3. However, the scourge so far has not been impressive with 4 wins and 3 defeats. The best performances he managed in Houston and Budapest, where he reached up to quarters. By comparison, last year up to this stage of the competition calendar had 8 wins and one tournament won (Bucharest). Besides, it was the only trophy won over the last three years.