The Italian Open is well underway, and it has given us plenty of surprises in the WTA matches. Numerous seeded players have stumbled along their path and have been eliminated from the tournament. Now that these top seeded players are gone, the field has open up for unexpected players to make major moves in a quest to the throne. Here are the third-round matches at the 2021 Italian Open.
WTA Italian Open Third Round
Garbiñe Muguruza vs Elina Svitolina
These two players have played 11 times in their career and the Ukrainian leads the series with six wins while the Spaniard has five. Their latest encounter was at the 2020 Australian Open, where the Spaniard took the match easily in straight sets. They have played three times in clay with Garbiñe Muguruza winning two of those at the French Open and retired when they played in Rome back in 2027.
No doubt this match will be an even one as both ladies are playing some great tennis. Elina Svitolina has had previous success in this tournament as she won it back in 2018. Both ladies have been tested in their previous matches and will try to improve their level of play. No question this is an even match up nonetheless and the winner will be full of confidence.
Karolína Plíšková vs Vera Zvonareva
These players have met just once, surprisingl,y and that was back in 2018 in Moscow. The Russian took the match in straight sets. Without a doubt the Czech player will try to even the series as she is trying to up her level. She has been playing at a low level recently and this is a great opportunity to improve her game and move on to the next round.
Although, it will not be easy as the Russian is on a four-match winning streak as she had to qualify into this tournament. She comes from defeating Petra Kvitova in three sets and has all the confidence in the world. It will not be an easy match for either woman, so expect lots of fight and power from both players.
Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Jessica Pegula
Surprisingly, this will be the first meeting between these two players. The Russian has just been able to play once in the tournament as Jennifer Brady was unable to play her in their second-round match. On the other hand, the American has played twice and has yet to drop a set. She defeated Naomi Osaka in straight sets in the previous round and looked strong in the match.
The American has been playing lights out tennis and going deep in every tournament that she has been playing. This match will be a great contest and each player will test out one another and try to find a weakness in their opponent.
Coco Gauff vs Aryna Sabalenka
These two players have met twice, each winning one match. Their next match will break the tie and will have one of them move on to the next round. This will be their first meeting on a clay court. It will be a tough match for the American teenager as the Belarussian is playing the best tennis of her life.
Aryna Sabalenka comes from winning the Madrid Open this past Sunday and defeated Sorribes Tormo in straight sets. The young American defeated two tough opponents Yulia Putintseva and Maria Sakkari in the previous rounds. Both of her matches went the full distance and she managed to find a way to come out victorious. This match will be a great one and it will not be a surprise if the teenager wins the match.
Ashleigh Barty vs Veronika Kudermetova
Notably, it will be their first encounter and a great one indeed it looks like it can be. Both have won a title on clay already this year. For this reason, this match will be a great one and full of high-level tennis. The Australian won her first match easily while the Russian has played two tough opponents already.
She defeated Elise Mertens in the first round then took out Caroline Garcia in the second round. Certainly, their first match up will be an even one as both players play well and fight until the end. A tough on to call but the World No.1 has the slight edge on the Russian player in this match.
Barbora Krejčíková vs Iga Świątek
Previously these two met at the Miami Open this year and it saw the young Polish player be triumphant in straight sets. The Polish teenager has defeated two Americans in the tournament but just played one full game. In the first round her opponent Allison Riske retired from the match. However, she looked great against Madison Keys and won in straight sets.
The Czech player has yet to drop a set and comes from defeating Sofia Kenin in straight sets. This will be a tough match for both players, and we will see who will come out on top in their second match.
Nadia Podoroska vs Petra Martić
Surely this will be an even match as both players play well on clay. These two have never met before so in their first meeting it will be a fantastic one. The Argentine comes with more confidence as she defeated the great Serena Williams in the second round. Before that she defeated Laura Siegemund in the first round.
Petra Martić defeated Shelby Rogers and Kristina Mladenovic in the previous rounds. Yes, it will be a great match and whoever wins will have a great opportunity to go far in a big event. No question it is a great opportunity for both players so we will see who will come on top in the end.
Jelena Ostapenko vs Angelique Kerber
Once these two have met and that was back in 2018 at Wimbledon. The German took the match easily in two sets. This time it will be on clay and both will be coming from not playing their best tennis. However, that doesn’t mean this match will be a bad one. On the contrary it will be a great one. The young Latvian has yet to drop a set and has been playing incredible tennis.
The German defeated Alize Cornet in the first round and then passed into the third round because Simona Halep retired during their match in the second round. It will be an interesting match as the Latvian is a heavy hitter and is not afraid to hit the ball hard and produce a lot of winners. Overall, this match will be decided by the player who is more determined and fully focused.
Even Matches To Look Forward To at the WTA Italian Open
All of the third-round matches are very even, so they’re all ones to watch. Each player possesses a quality that can take them to the next round. We will have to see if they can put it in practice and move on to the next round. In conclusion, the Italian Open will gave great matches to look forward in the WTA as all of the players are full of quality.
