Rising stars Learner Tien and Rafael Jodar will headline a full schedule of fourth-round competition on Tuesday in Rome. Alexander Zverev and Luciano Darderi are also aiming for a place in the quarterfinals.
(32) Rafael Jodar vs. (19) Learner Tien
Tien and Jodar will battle for a sport in the quarterfinals of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia when they go head-to-head for the second time in their careers on Tuesday. They previously faced each other during round-robin action at the 2025 NextGen ATP Finals, where Jodar got the job done 1-4, 4-3(3), 1-4, 4-2, 4-3(4). Even though the 19-year-old failed to qualify for the semis in Jeddah, he has been better than everyone else in that class throughout this 2026 campaign. A 19-8 record has Jodar up to No. 34 in the world and he will be seeded at Roland Garros. Building on a quarterfinal run in Madrid, the Spaniard has advanced in Rome with victories over Nuno Borges and Matteo Arnaldi.
Like Jodar (UVA), Tien (USC) is a college tennis product. And just like Jodar, Tien has absolutely taken off on the pro tour following a brief college stint. The 20-year-old American is already up to No. 21 in the world and owns a pair of second-week performances at the Australian Open (fourth round in 2025, quarterfinals in 2026). The problem for Tien in this case is that he is still a clay-court novice. An upset of Alexander Bublik on Sunday was an encouraging sign, but a red-hot Jodar should have a sizable advantage on this surface.
Pick: Jodar in 2
(18) Luciano Darderi vs. (2) Alexander Zverev
Zverev is without question the second-best player in the world behind Jannik Sinner right now since Carlos Alcaraz is sidelined by a wrist injury. The third-ranked German may be completely hopeless against Sinner, but he has been great against everyone else. Zverev is 22-1 in his last 23 matches against non-Sinner opponents following Rome wins over Daniel Altmaier and Alexander Blockx.
Up next for the 29-year-old on Tuesday is a second meeting with Darderi, who lost their only previous encounter 7-6(3), 6-2 at this same Rome tournament in 2024. The 20th-ranked Italian has advanced in front of the home crowd by ousting Yannick Hanfmann in straight sets and Tommy Paul in three. Darderi might have a chance in this matchup at an ATP 250 such as in his second home in Argentina, but there is no reason to think that he will seriously trouble an in-form Zverev at the Masters 1000 level.
Pick: Zverev in 2