First round matchups commence on Monday at the WTA 1000 level Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome. Everyone will be desperate to impress in the Italian capital at the last major clay court event before the second Grand Slam of the year takes place at Roland Garros. A busy day is scheduled. Let’s take a closer look at some of the matchups, including an exciting matchup between Camila Giorgi and Ajla Tomljanovic. Who will advance to the second round?
WTA Rome Day 1 Predictions
Shuai Zhang vs Martina Trevisan
H2H: Zhang 1-0.
Shuai Zhang’s form hasn’t been great ever since winning a third title a couple of months ago in Lyon. A 3-5 win/loss record has followed that title run, with just one clay court victory to her name through three tournaments. Martina Trevisan’s recent form is equally unimpressive, even on her preferred surface. Zhang defeated Trevisan 7-5 6-1 in their only previous meeting in Cleveland in 2021 on a hard court. This looks like a winnable matchup for both, I’ll give the slight edge to the Italian at home. Trevisan’s game is far better suited to the red clay, and she may well grind out a win.
Prediction: Trevisan in 3
Petra Martic vs Karolina Muchova
H2H: First meeting.
A fun matchup between two crafty, versatile opponents as Petra Martic comes up against Karolina Muchova for the first time. Petra Martic is starting to find some decent form of late and is well prepared for this match having won a pair of straight set matches through qualifying. Karolina Muchova is on the comeback trail after a lengthy injury layoff. The Czech is extremely talented but is better known for her skills of a quicker surface, making this match a tough one o predict. I’ll give Muchova the benefit of the doubt, she is the better player.
Prediction: Muchova in 3
Anhelina Kalinina vs Madison Keys
H2H: Kalinina 1-0.
Anhelina Kalinina was a clear outsider when she upset Madison Keys 3-6 6-3 6-4 in Miami a few months ago. The in-form Ukrainian won’t be considered such an underdog when the pair meet in Rome. Kalinina arrives in Rome fresh from a career best quarterfinal showing in Madrid where she recorded wins over Sloane Stephens, Garbine Muguruza, and Emma Raducanu. Meanwhile, Madison Keys has generally struggled since the Australian Open, it’s hard to know what to expect from the American here. I’ll give the edge to Kalinina here who is playing with confidence right now and is very comfortable on the red dirt, probably too solid for an inconsistent Keys.
Prediction: Kalinina in 3
Camila Giorgi vs Ajla Tomljanovic
H2H: Giorgi 2-0.
Camila Giorgi has lost 6 consecutive matches; the Italian hasn’t won a match since the Australian Open in January. The pressure is on Giorgi to turn things around at her home event. Meanwhile, Ajla Tomljanovic’s recent form is typically mediocre. Giorgi has won both previous meetings between the pair, most recently in Eastbourne last year where she prevailed 7-5 6-3. This looks like another tough match to call, one that could go either way. It’s impossible to predict a Giorgi win with any confidence at the moment, Tomljanovic is hardly reliable herself. Nevertheless, I’ll give the edge to Tomljanovic who is solid enough to make the most of Giorgi woes.
Prediction: Tomljanovic in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
