It’s a fantastic line-up on Wednesday on the WTA side of the 2021 Italian Open in Rome. World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty will face a two-time Roland Garros quarterfinalist Yaroslava Shvedova, who’s coming back from a pregnancy and injury hiatus. Who do you think will make the third round?
In addition to this article, we predict the rest of Wednesday’s slate, split between three other articles. One features Serena Williams vs Nadia Podoroska, the second highlights Naomi Osaka vs Jessica Pegula, and the third features Simona Halep vs Angelique Kerber.
WTA Rome Day 3 Predictions
Caroline Garcia vs Veronika Kudermetova
Head-to-head: First meeting
Caroline Garcia has recently decided to stop being coached by her father. While that might benefit her in the long run, she might find it a bit tough to settle down in a new situation straightaway. She’d really have to be on top of her game here to trouble Veronika Kudermetova, who’s been one of the breakout performers of the 2021 WTA circuit so far and scored an excellent opening-round win over Elise Mertens. With such a sinusoidal player like Garcia everything is possible, yet unlikely.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 2
Jelena Ostapenko vs Ajla Tomljanovic
Head-to-head: First meeting
There will be plenty of hard-hitting in this one and it should be a rather high-quality encounter looking at how both the ladies fared in the opening round. Jelena Ostapenko gave just four games to Johanna Konta, while Ajla Tomljanovic surrendered six at the expense of the 2019 Roland Garros runner-up, Marketa Vondrousova. Tomljanovic has a couple more matches under her belt here, successfully going through the qualifying campaign. More match practice in the conditions at Rome might come of huge help.
Prediction: Tomljanovic in 3
Jennifer Brady vs Ekaterina Alexandrova
Head-to-head: First meeting
Jennifer Brady is yet to have a clay court run of a caliber similar to the ones she’s had on hard courts. However, this doesn’t seem to be any sort of surface issue, probably just a matter of time as her serve and forehand are every bit as dangerous on the dirt as well. Ekaterina Alexandrova’s tennis is a bit more one-dimensional and Brady’s point construction skills might give her a very tiny edge here.
Prediction: Brady in 3
Ashleigh Barty vs Yaroslava Shvedova
Head-to-head: First meeting
This could have been a very exciting matchup if Yaroslava Shvedova was anywhere close to her peak form. The Kazakh is still trying to find her footing after an insanely long injury and pregnancy hiatus. Her win over Martina Trevisan was her first main draw one in four years and frankly, wasn’t at all impressive in terms of her level. Ashleigh Barty is extremely dominant on the WTA circuit right now and she should have a fairly comfortable time here.
Prediction: Barty in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
