The draw for the Internationals without Sinner: Musetti is the only Italian seed

Two debut derbies: Berrettini-Napolitano and Gigante-Zeppieri. Complicated scoreboard for Djokovic

ROME – Italian tennis is preparing for the Internazionali orphans of Sinner. And if all roads lead to Rome, for the Italians – 12 in the men’s draw alone – the paths to the final are not infinite, on the contrary. The only “blue” seed is Lorenzo Musetti who will debut in the second round against a qualifier or the American Eubanks. Meanwhile, the draw immediately gives two derbies: Matteo Berrettini against Stefano Napolitano and Matteo Gigante against Giulio Zeppieri.

Matteo Arnaldi will make his debut against the Czech Machac, Sonego against Lajovic, Darderi will challenge Denis Shapovalov, Luca Nardi will have Altmaier, for Fognini there is Evans while Vavassori will face Koepfer; Cobolli is waiting for a qualifier.

Novak Djokovic – the last remaining star, also given Alcaraz’s withdrawal – will start in the second round against the Russian Safiullin, and will find Casper Ruud to avoid sensational stumbles in the quarterfinals, in a possible semi-final Alexander Zverev (who at Roma already beat him in the final in 2017). Daniil Medvedev, seeded number 2, will instead make his debut with one of Borna Coric and Jack Draper, and in the quarterfinals he could cross paths with Hurkacz, with one of Andrey Rublev and Stefanos Tsitsipas in the semifinals. The unqualified Rafa will make his debut against a qualified player, but he should face Hurkacz in the second round.

WOMEN

There are 11 Italians in the women’s draw, waiting for the qualifiers. Jasmine Paolini (number 12 in the world, and best Italian) will find the winner between Petra Martic and Mayar Sheriff in the second round. But in the third round she will have Vika Azarenka, a possible eighth against Maria Sakkari and a subsequent quarterfinal against Elena Rybakina. Miracles permitting, the projections say Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-final.

Martina Trevisan starts with Putintseva, Cocciaretto, Di Sarra and Pedone with three qualifiers. Derby between Paganetti and Stefanini. Pigato finds Rogers, Brancaccio Siniakova, Bronzetti Kenin and Errani Anisimova.