Francisco Cerundolo and Lorenzo Musetti Clash for Quarterfinal Spot in Rome
ROME — The third round of the prestigious Internazionali BNL d’Italia is set to deliver an explosive clay-court battle this Sunday, May 10, as Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo faces off against Italy’s home favorite, Lorenzo Musetti. With the match scheduled for 9:00 AM ET at the Foro Italico, both competitors are fighting for a coveted spot in the quarterfinals and a chance to move closer to an ATP Masters 1000 title.
Eighth-seeded Musetti, currently ranked No. 10 in the world, enters the match as the heavy betting favorite with a 62.5% probability of advancing. He boasts a 12-6 overall record for the 2026 season, including a 5-3 run on clay. Backed by the passionate Italian crowd, Musetti is eager to lean on his home support to push past the unpredictable third round.
“I want to feel the fans’ support. It will make me better,” Musetti noted ahead of the tournament, highlighting the crucial role the Rome spectators will play in his performance.
However, unseeded Francisco Cerundolo (ranked No. 27) comes into Sunday’s contest with lethal momentum. The Argentine completely dismantled Alejandro Tabilo in his second-round match, cruising to a dominant 6-0, 6-2 victory. Furthermore, Cerundolo holds a historical edge over Musetti on red dirt; while their overall head-to-head record is tied at 2-2, Cerundolo leads 2-1 specifically on clay courts. Throughout his career, Cerundolo has proven his mastery on the surface, tallying 89 wins.
For Cerundolo, this match represents a chance at a historic career milestone, as he has never reached a quarterfinal in Rome. Meanwhile, Musetti is looking to stabilize his form and capitalize on his top-ten seeding. The winner of this dramatic baseline battle will advance directly to the quarterfinals, where they could eventually cross paths with 2017 and 2024 Rome champion Alexander Zverev in the semifinals.
As Cerundolo’s aggressive baseline game and sky-high lobs clash with Musetti’s whipped forehands and major semifinal experience, Sunday’s showdown promises to be a thrilling test of clay-court mastery.