Quarterfinal action on the WTA Tour in Rome features Ash Barty, Iga Swiatek and other top French Open contenders aim to continue their run of form in advance of the big clay court Grand Slam.
Ash Barty vs Coco Gauff
Barty followed up the Madrid final with two routine wins in Rome, Gauff has found form, upsetting Sakkari and Sabalenka in consecutive matches to reach the quarterfinals. Gauff is playing well, but Barty is playing better and should advance once more. Barty in 2
Karolina Pliskova vs Jelena Ostapenko
Pliskova beat Ostapenko on clay in Stuttgart in three sets recently, their h2h on clay is 2-1 for Pliskova, Ostapenko has made her best tournament run of the year on clay in Rome while Pliskova is in yet another quarterfinal. Look for Pliskova to go one match further, she’s won all her matches this week without dropping a set and the recent h2h win should inspire her confidence. Pliskova in 3
Petra Martic vs Jessica Pegula
Martic leads the h2h 3-1, Pegula hasn’t dropped a set though and continued her great 2021 season with an upset over Naomi Osaka earlier in the tournament. Pegula has had a better season and although Martic is playing well, I’ll give the American the edge. Pegula in 2
Iga Swiatek vs Elina Svitolina
Swiatek struggled through her last match and Svitolina was routine against Garbine Muguruza. This is a pretty even matchup, but just based on the evidence on court this week of both players’ form, Svitolina is the one with an advantage going into the match. Svitolina in 3
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