🎾 ATP Rome: Jesper de Jong vs Alexander Shevchenko

🎾 ATP Rome: Jesper de Jong vs Alexander Shevchenko – Match Preview

🧠 Form & Context

🇳🇱 Jesper de Jong

• Montpellier breakthrough: Reached the semifinals earlier this year but has gone 1–4 in tour-level matches since.
• Lucky loser chance: Lost to Thiago Seyboth Wild in qualifying but earns his first-ever Masters 1000 main-draw entry.
• Form concerns: No wins against top-100 opponents since February and lacking rhythm at this level.
• Clay upside: Strong forehand and movement but needs confidence to execute in high-stakes matches.

🇷🇺 Alexander Shevchenko

• Qualifying boost: Beat Ficovich and Fucsovics to reach the main draw—his first back-to-back wins since January.
• Ranking pressure: Sliding down the rankings with just two tour-level wins in five months.
• Rome revival: Has had some of his better ATP moments on these courts—comfortable on clay when confident.
• Shotmaker potential: Powerful from the baseline but needs to limit unforced errors to succeed.

🔍 Match Breakdown

Shevchenko has more top-level exposure and comes in match-sharp from qualifying. His offensive baseline style can be effective against de Jong, who will need to find early rhythm to extend rallies and force errors.

De Jong’s best shot lies in turning this into a war of attrition and playing with depth and margin. However, his lack of recent wins against quality opponents could make him vulnerable if Shevchenko builds early scoreboard pressure.

🔮 Prediction

Prediction: Alexander Shevchenko in 3 sets. The Russian’s higher upside and qualifying form should carry him past de Jong in a close, physical contest.