🎾 ATP Madrid: Roman Safiullin vs Arthur Rinderknech

🎾 ATP Madrid: Roman Safiullin vs Arthur Rinderknech – Match Preview

🧠 Form & Context

🇷🇺 Roman Safiullin

• Back in form: After a winless early stretch in 2025, Safiullin picked up steam at Indian Wells and Miami, making the third round in the latter.
• Clay return: Reached the semifinals at the Oeiras Challenger last week in his first clay-court appearance of the year—signs of renewed momentum.
• Madrid success: Made it to R3 here in 2023 as a qualifier with standout wins over Tommy Paul and Nicolás Jarry.
• Streaky but dangerous: A high-ceiling player who can beat top-tier opponents when dialed in, though inconsistency can sometimes derail his campaigns.

🇫🇷 Arthur Rinderknech

• Confidence crisis: Just 4–13 on the season, including two losses in Barcelona—once in qualifying, once as a lucky loser.
• Clay struggles: Yet to find rhythm on the surface in 2025 and continues to look uncomfortable adjusting to slower conditions.
• Masters struggles: Holds a poor 5–12 record in Masters 1000 first rounds, lacking success at this tier.
• Madrid woes: Lost in the opening round last year to Shevchenko in a tight three-setter and is still seeking his first main draw win here.

🔍 Match Breakdown

Both players are searching for form, but Safiullin enters with a much clearer trajectory. He’s fresh off a semifinal showing in Oeiras, has positive memories in Madrid, and holds a dominant 2–0 head-to-head record against Rinderknech.

Rinderknech may find some altitude aid for his serve, but his baseline game, footwork, and decision-making have looked suspect. Safiullin, by contrast, thrives in quicker clay conditions and will look to step in, take time away, and pressure the Frenchman into errors. Unless Rinderknech serves lights out and forces tiebreaks, this could be a one-sided affair.

🔮 Prediction

Pick: Roman Safiullin in 2 sets

With better form, surface comfort, and past Madrid results, the Russian should dispatch an out-of-sorts Rinderknech without much drama.