Alexei Popyrin vs Carlos Taberner Preview & Prediction | 2025 Italian Open | Second Round

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Australia’s Alexei Popyrin takes on Carlos Taberner of Spain in the second-round of the Italian Open.

Ranking points: ATP 1000

Start date/time: Friday 9th May, 2025 UK – not before TBC / US ET – not before TBC / US PT – not before TBC

Venue: Foro Italico, Rome, Italy

Surface: Outdoor clay

How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports Tennis / US – Tennis Channel

How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Tennis Channel

Tickets: Visit this link for the latest Alexei Popyrin vs Carlos Taberner ticket information

Alexei Popyrin vs Carlos Taberner prediction

Alexei Popyrin made a really encouraging start to his European clay court swing with a quarter-final appearance in Monte-Carlo. He defeated the likes of Frances Tiafoe and Casper Ruud before a straight sets defeat to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the last eight.

The Australian has really struggled in his last two events however, as he lost to Alexander Bubilk in the second-round of the Madrid Open after receiving a bye. Popyrin then decided to drop down to compete on the Challenger Tour in Aix-en-Provence but lost at the earliest stage to Swiss veteran and three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka in three sets.

Carlos Taberner came back from the brink to defeat Aleksander Kovacevic to make it through to the second-round in Rome. The Spaniard was 5-3 down in the deciding set but roared back to win four service games in a row and book his place into the second round with a 6-3 1-6 7-5 win.

These two have met once before with Popyrin defeating Taberner on clay at a Bordeaux Challenger event three years ago. He’s not in the best of form but we’re backing the Australian to get back to winning ways in three sets. 

Alexei Popyrin vs Carlos Taberner tip: Alexei Popyrin to win 2-1