🎾 ATP Rome: Roberto Carballés Baena vs Sebastian Ofner

🎾 ATP Rome: Roberto Carballés Baena vs Sebastian Ofner – Match Preview

🧠 Form & Context

Roberto Carballés Baena

• Fitness woes: Returning from physical issues just as the key clay season unfolds.
• Rusty comeback: Played only one match since Marrakech (lost to Jacob Fearnley in Barcelona), showing signs of physical struggle.
• Inconsistent Rome record: Reached the 3rd round in 2023, but exited early in other years.
• Clay credentials: Seasoned dirt-baller, but ineffective without full match fitness and rhythm.

Sebastian Ofner

• Comeback momentum: Back from injury and already 8–5 in 2025, showing promising signs.
• Rome-qualified: Beat Hanfmann and Majchrzak in straight sets to earn a main draw spot.
• Masters form: Holds a respectable 4–3 R1 record in Masters events, including a close loss in Rome last year.
• Clay capability: Reached the R4 at Roland-Garros—proving he can win long matches when needed.

🔍 Match Breakdown

Carballés Baena brings elite clay-court mechanics but lacks recent match play and physical readiness. His grinding game thrives on rhythm and endurance, but if compromised, it quickly loses impact—especially against someone with Ofner’s current sharpness.

Ofner, coming through qualifying, has the edge in both rhythm and confidence. He’ll aim to dictate tempo with his forehand and prevent the match from becoming a grind. The Austrian’s experience and solid clay record make him a legitimate threat—especially against an undercooked opponent.

🔮 Prediction

Prediction: Ofner in straight sets. With more recent clay-court time and physical readiness, he should control the match against a rusty Carballés Baena.