Daniil Medvedev vs Aslan Karatsev: Rome Masters 2021 Prediction | Preview | H2H Stats

It is a captivating clash of two rampaging Russians as the third seed Daniil Medvedev locks horns against the in-form Aslan Karatsev in the second round of the Rome Masters. 

Daniil Medvedev vs Aslan Karatsev: Rome Masters: Preview

Aslan Karatsev began his run at the ATP-1000 tournament with a close 7-6(2) 6-4 win against Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic. 

The Russian fired 5 aces, claimed 82% of his first-serve points, and also saved 2 out of 3 breakpoints. 

On the other hand, Daniil Medvedev took part in a doubles match with Brazilian Marcelo Demoliner. The pair stunned the sixth seed Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares in a thrilling three-setter (3-6 7-6(5) 10-4). 

Daniil Medvedev vs Aslan Karatsev: Head to Head Record

This is the first match between the two compatriots on the ATP Tour. Aslan Karatsev has defeated Daniil Medvedev two times in the ATP Challenger Circuit (Semifinals of the Moscow Challenger in three sets in 2014 and Semifinals of the Kazan Challenger in straight sets in 2016). Both the victories came on hard courts.

Daniil Medvedev vs Aslan Karatsev: Rome Masters Game Analysis

Known for his strong dislike of the surface, Daniil Medvedev even got into a heated argument with the chair umpire in the Madrid Open during his match against Alejandro Davidovich  He criticized the broken parts of the red dirt and the umpire warned him not to cause any damage to the court.

Aslan Karatsev has acclimatized to clay after finishing as the runner-up in the ATP-250 Belgrade Open (lost to Matteo Berrettini in three sets) and a pre-quarterfinal finish at the Madrid Open (was defeated by Alexander Bublik in straight sets). 

Medvedev has never won a main draw match in the Rome Masters and will target nothing else than an outright victory. Small adjustments in his topspin heavy forehand and netplay would make him more comfortable on the red dirt. 

Daniil Medvedev will be the underdog here in Rome as he has won only 1 out of his last 7 matches on clay. Aslan Karatsev has a 4-3 win-loss record against higher-ranked players this year and Daniil Medvedev will be wary of the great threat posed by his countryman.

The blockbuster battle between these equally talented Russians could be decided between their flat groundstrokes and how they control the pace from the back of the court in the slow conditions. 

Both the players are right-handers with two-handed backhands and are well known for their lightning-fast court coverage and deep forehands. 

Medvedev's big-match temperament gives him a slight edge though he will have to be at his best to outlast his compatriot Karatsev who is in red-hot form and has all the weapons to pull off an upset.

Prediction - Daniil Medvedev to win the round of 32 Rome Masters match in three sets against Aslan Karatsev

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