Berrettini in straight sets.
Dive into your popcorn folks, we're in for a riveting match between Matteo Berrettini and Christopher O'Connell. Not to discount O'Connell's hustle, but Berrettini's past performances against O'Connell paint a picture that's hard to ignore. Our man Berrettini has just been, shall we say, more cement than clay, cruising to two-straight sets victories over O'Connell in recent matchups.
O'Connell has undoubtedly been showing some spark, giving Carballés Baena a run for his money and snatching the win. But when it comes to Berrettini, the track record isn't as rosy. Nonetheless, kudos to O'Connell for defying his unseeded status, but let's not forget he's up against Berrettini, who has been clocked in as the 28th seed.
As for Berrettini's recent results, he's exhibited control and dominance. Yes, he did lose to Tsitsipas in a close battle, but he's also swept off other opponents in straight sets, including our friend O'Connell here.
So, ladies and gents, if you love a wild card, O'Connell might be your man. But if you're a fan of stats and history, Berrettini seems more likely to steal the show.
Albert's Prediction: Berrettini in straight sets.