The 2026 Italian Open is the final big clay tournament ahead of the French Open. There have already been some great matches in this tournament, but things are really starting to pick up heading into the weekend.

These are my Italian Open best bets to target on DraftKings Sportsbook for Saturday, May 9.

2026 Italian Open Best Bets on DraftKings Sportsbook

Ignacio Buse vs. Frances Tiafoe: Frances Tiafoe ML (+128)

Frances Tiafoe is back on the court after missing the past month of action. Tiafoe was playing good tennis, making the Miami Open quarter-finals, where he lost to Jannik Sinner. He followed that up with a nice run to the semi-finals in Houston. Tiafoe skipped the Monte-Carlo Open due to the quick turnaround time from Houston, then withdrew from the Madrid Open. Tiafoe did not give a firm reason, but speculation is that he was one of many players who decided not to play in Madrid because of the tournament’s two-week duration. However, Tiafoe is back in action in Rome as he prepares for the second major of the year.

Tiafoe is listed as an underdog in this Round of 64 match against Ignacio Buse. That is despite Tiafoe being 40 spots higher than Buse in the world rankings. Tiafoe has always been a better hardcourt player than he has been on clay, and he is coming off a month-long break from competitive tennis. However, Tiafoe is still the much more talented player, and if anything, his body will be fresh and ready for this match against the 22-year-old Peruvian. Buse is certainly a promising young talent, but Tiafoe should take care of business in his return and win this match. He should not be an underdog against the young Peruvian.

Iva Jovic vs. Taylor Townsend: Iva Jovic ML (-136)

Iva Jovic is one of the rising stars in women’s tennis. At just 18 years old, Jovic is already the No. 17 player in the world. She won her first career WTA title last year at just 17 years old. Jovic started 2026 by pulling off her first career top-10 win and making it to the Australian Open quarter-finals, where she lost to World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. Jovic had a great showing in Charleston to start the clay season. She made it to the semi-finals, where she pushed top-seeded Jessica Pegula to three sets. Jovic has proven to be a real contender at these tournaments and should take care of business against fellow American Taylor Townsend.

Taylor Townsend is one of the best doubles players in the world. She is currently No. 2 in the world in doubles and just won the doubles title at the Madrid Open. However, her singles game has never been anywhere near her doubles game. Townsend had to make it through two rounds of qualifiers and a Round of 128 match just to get to where Jovic started in the bracket. So, while Jovic has only played one match so far in this tournament, Townsend has played four. Fatigue should be setting in for Townsend, and she starts her doubles campaign on Sunday, where she has a real shot at winning another title. Townsend could be more focused on the doubles side, while Jovic is primarily pursuing singles titles. The young American should take down her compatriot in the Round of 32.