AS the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Draft Central is extending the fantasy tennis coverage throughout the ATP and WTA seasons to simulate tournaments and see just how they might have gone down. The next ATP instalment is the Internazionali BNL d’Italia otherwise commonly known as the Rome Masters with a host of top ranked players set to take the court throughout the tournament.

FAVOURITE:

Novak Djokovic (SERBIA)

After being knocked out in the quarter finals at the Madrid Open by German young gun Alexander Zverev, Djokovic will be hoping to make amends here at the Rome Masters and take home some more silverware. The number one seed for the tournament is a commanding presence on court able to dictate the play. Despite bowing out earlier than he would have liked in Madrid the Serbian has been in ripping form and still has a strong grip on prime position. Last year’s loss will still be fresh in the memory of Djokovic who will be looking to take home his fifth crown with a win here.

CONTENDERS:

Rafael Nadal (SPAIN)

Stunning many with his shock exit at the Madrid Open, the clay court master will be out for redemption here in Rome. The reigning champ is no easy beat especially when it comes to clay court and is on the search for his 10th Rome Masters title such is his dominance at this tournament. Bundled out by the unseeded Cristian Garin expect Nadal to leave nothing to chance here and throw everything he has at the competition to get back on the winners list. Just behind Djokovic, the second seed is no slouch on court with his impressive coverage and variety of shot selection.

Alexander Zverev (GERMANY)

The highly talented German is one to watch at the Rome Masters given his recent form and history at the Masters. The 23-year-old won the title back in 2017 proving he knows what it takes to win on the big stage and will be eager to climb up the rankings with a convincing victory here. The seventh seed struggled to have a real impact last year unable to make it past the Round of 32 so expect him to come out firing and continue that hot form shown throughout the Madrid Masters which saw him progress to the semi-finals.

Stefanos Tsitsipas (GREECE)

Fresh off a title win at the Madrid Open, the Greek sensation will be riding high in Rome and looking to replicate that winning form. Pushing past the likes of Zverev and Domenic Thiem in his previous tournament will give the 21-year-old plenty of hope heading into this tournament. The sixth seed made it all the way to the semi-finals last year before going down to Nadal but has come along in leaps and bounds since, meaning the title is well and truly up for grabs.

ROUGHIE:

Filip Krajinovic (SERBIA)

Sitting just outside the seeded players, Krajinovic is a force to be reckoned with given his deceptive strength on clay court. Although the 28-year-old currently sits at 32 in terms of international rankings he has made it as high as 26 and will be hoping to recapture that form at the Rome Masters. Krajinovic was close to recording his first title at the Estoril Open before going down in a relatively one-sided affair against Nikoloz Basilashvili.

DARK HORSE:

Cristian Garin (CHILE)

After an impressive couple of weeks of tennis, Garin would be keen to keep the good times rolling and push past some familiar names in Nadal. Garin outclassed the Spaniard at the Madrid Masters and will be looking to replicate that same grit and strong form here to climb up the rankings. The 24-year-old is hungry for success currently at 18 in the world and hoping to build on that as the tournament goes on. Garin did not feature in the 2019 tournament meaning he has no points to protect this time around.