Getty Images
Novak Djokovic makes his 2025 Madrid debut against tough Italian Matteo Arnaldi during second-round action on Saturday. Stefanos Tsitsipas, who retired in Barcelona, takes on struggling veteran Jan-Lennard Struff.
(4) Novak Djokovic vs. Matteo Arnaldi
This year has been a bit of a struggle for Novak Djokovic. The world No. 5 hasn’t won an ATP title since 2023, although he did win the gold medal at the Paris Olympics last year. He got close in Miami, but he lost in two tiebreakers to the young Czech Jakub Mensik. Djokovic has not won a match on clay yet this season, with a shock opening loss to Alejandro Tabilo in Monte-Carlo two weeks ago. He was miserably out of sorts; Tabilo is ranked No. 32 in the world and at no point did the Serb even threaten to take control.
Fortunately for Djokovic, Matteo Arnaldi is also off the boil. The Italian holds a 9-9 record on the season, including his three-set win over Borna Coric in the first round earlier this week. Arnaldi would ordinarily be dangerous for Djokovic, especially because he has already played a match. But in this case Djokovic will be motivated to get more play in before Roland Garros. It’s likely to be patchy at times, but look for the first meeting between Djokovic and Arnaldi to go the favorite’s way.
Cheryl pick: Djokovic in 3
Ricky pick: Djokovic in 2
(17) Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. Jan-Lennard Struff
April has not been kind to Stefanos Tsitsipas. The former world No. 3 is ranked 18th in the world in part because he failed to defend his 2024 title in Monte-Carlo. Of more concern, the Greek withdrew from his quarterfinal match against Arthur Fils last week in Barcelona, with some speculation that Tsitsipas had injured his back. The 17th seed got a first-round bye in Madrid, so his injury hasn’t been tested yet.
Jan-Lennard Struff has been a tricky matchup for Tsitsipas. The former French Open runner-up holds a scant 5-4 record over the German. Struff is a good clay-court player, so the surface won’t give Tsitsipas much of an advantage. The bad news for Struff is that he has had a miserable season. He is 3-10 on the year, not counting his “win” in the first round with the retirement of Botic van de Zandschulp. Struff’s last completed match win came way back in February in Marseille, so there is no indication that Struff has enough in the tank right now to dispatch a player of Tsitsipas’ caliber.
Cheryl pick: Tsitsipas in 2
Ricky pick: Tsitsipas in 2
