Seeded players will start going head-to-head during third-round action on Sunday in Rome, where Jiri Lehecka faces Casper Ruud. Wild card Matteo Arnaldo tries to keep his run going against Rafael Jodar.
(23) Casper Ruud vs. (11) Jiri Lehecka
Lehecka and Ruud will be going head-to-head for the third time in their careers when they collide in round three of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia on Sunday. Ruud has won both of their previous encounters; 6-3, 6-4 on the red clay of Gstaad in 2022 and 7-6(6), 6-4 at the 2023 Toronto Masters.
Things could be a lot different three years later, as Lehecka is in outstanding form whereas Ruud has been going in the other direction. Lehecka is up to No. 13 in the world and boasts a 17-8 record in 2026 that includes a runner-up performance in Miami and a quarterfinal showing in Madrid. The Czech opening in Rome with a 7-6(4), 6-3 victory over Jan-Lennard Struff. Ruud beat Zachary Svajda 6-1, 6-3 on Friday, but the 25th-ranked Norwegian is just 13-9 this season. He has not defeated anyone ranked better than No. 4 since his very first match of the year.
Pick: Lehecka in 2
(WC) Matteo Arnaldi vs. (32) Rafael Jodar
Jodar is on a serious rise — to the extent that he is going to be seeded at the upcoming French Open. The 19-year-old Spaniard has surged to No. 34 in the world (No. 31 in the live rankings) thanks to an 18-8 record on the main tour this season that is highlighted by a quarterfinal run in Madrid (lost to eventual champion Jannik Sinner). Jodar continued his incredible form with a 7-6(4), 6-4 victory over Nuno Borges on Friday.
Up next for the former University of Virginia star is a first-ever showdown against Arnaldi, who has improbably joined several other Italians in the third round of this tournament. Arnaldi peaked at 30th in the world two years ago, but he currently finds himself outside the top 100 (106th) due to a disastrous 12-month slump that started with a first-round loss last year in Rome. From basically out of nowhere, the 25-year-old won the Cagliari Challenger last week and has advanced at the Foro Italico with three-set defeats of Jaume Munar and Alex de Minaur. With fatigue surely a factor and facing an on-fire opponent, Arnaldi’s impressive seven-match winning streak will likely come to an end in swift fashion.
Pick: Jodar in 2