The WTA Italian Open shifts to Round 2 action on Day 3 with some of the top-seeded stars taking the courts in Rome. Paula Badosa and Anett Kontaveit are making their 2022 tournament debuts looking to find some form before Roland Garros. Coming off of the Madrid title, Ons Jabeur looks to continue her winning ways against Ajla Tomljanovic. We at LWOT will offer previews and predictions for that match and more here at the Italian Open.
WTA Rome Day 3 Predictions
Aliaksandra Sasnovich vs Paula Badosa
Head-to-Head: Sasnovich leads 1-0
#2 seed Paula Badosa is making her maiden appearance at the Italian Open hoping to find her form on the clay ahead of Roland Garros. She takes on Aliaksandra Sasnovich who overcame a set deficit against Veronika Kudermetova in Round 1. Sasnovich has never been known as a strong clay-court player and has once again struggled on the surface this season. I expect Paula Badosa to make a deep run in Rome, and that will start with a relatively easy victory over the Belarusian.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
Petra Martic vs Anett Kontaveit
Head-to-Head: Martic 1-1 Kontaveit
2018 semifinalist and #5 seed Anett Kontaveit starts her Italian Open tournament against Petra Martic. Martic worked her way through qualifying before defeating Karolina Muchova in three sets in Round 1. Anett Kontaveit has reached four quarterfinals this season but has only played three clay-court matches. With that said, she won their only previous meeting on clay 6-2 6-4 in 2020. Kontaveit is the superior player and is looking to find her form on clay before Roland Garros. She should roll here.
Prediction: Kontaveit in 2
Bianca Andreescu vs Nuria Parrizas Diaz
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Bianca Andreescu is 4-2 since her return to the WTA Tour after taking over six months off. Andreescu has never been known for her clay-court prowess but has played well on the surface given her lengthy time off. Her opponent, Nuria Parrizas Diaz, may be the first player to essentially lose two matches while still being alive in a tournament. She received a Lucky Loser entrant into the main draw after losing in the final round of qualifying. In her Round 1 match against Sara Sorribes Tormo, Diaz was down 1-6 3-4 before Sorribes Tormo had to retire due to injury. I doubt she finds her form in this matchup against Andreescu.
Prediction: Andreescu in 2
Ajla Tomljanovic vs Ons Jabeur
Head-to-Head: Jabeur leads 1-0
#9 seed Ons Jabeur is the most in-form player on the WTA Tour. She has won 13 of 15 matches since the start of the clay season, including a 6-0 7-6 Round 1 win over Sorana Cirstea. Ajla Tomljanovic had a nice Round 1 victory over Italian Camila Giorgi but is just 5-8 over her last 13 matches. Despite playing seven matches in the past 13 days, Jabeur showed she is fully fit during her Round 1 match. I expect her to continue her winning ways in this one.
Prediction: Jabeur in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
