Day 3 of the WTA 1000 event in Rome will feature the debut of many of the seeds. It’s the first edition of this tournament played over two weeks and the second round should be especially interesting and competitive, with lower ranked players with a first round win under their belt look to upset the seeds. We predict all of the day’s matches, split between four articles. One features Victoria Azarenka vs Sloane Stephens, the second headlines Jessica Pegula vs Taylor Townsend, and the third features Aryna Sabalenka vs Sofia Kenin. Who do you think will advance?
WTA Rome Day 3 Predictions
Caty McNally vs Marie Bouzkova
Head-to-head: first meeting
Neither player has been in great shape this year, but Bouzkova is generally the more solid and consistent player and should be able to prevail here. That said, McNally played well in the first round here and will surely have some confidence going into this match. The difference in chances is nowhere near as big as the rankings would suggest here.
Prediction: Bouzkova in 3
Anastasia Potapova vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto
Head-to-head: Cocciaretto 1-0 Potapova
Again, despite a considerable difference in the ranking (in favor of Potapova), this is a very difficult match to call. Cocciaretto actually won in straights when the pair faced late last year and she looked good in her first round match. She might well be able to come through again here.
Prediction: Cocciaretto in 3
Nuria Parrizas-Diaz vs Veronika Kudermetova
Head-to-head: Kudermetova 1-0 Parrizas-Diaz
Kudermetova won a hard-fought three-setter when the pair faced a couple of weeks ago in Madrid, and another tight match could be expected here. Althought Kudermetova is far higher ranked, Parrizas-Diaz can be a very tough nut to crack on a clay court and this match could well go the distance like in Madrid.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 3
Coco Gauff vs Yulia Putintseva
Head-to-head: Gauff 2-0 Putintseva
Gauff reached the finals at Roland Garros last year and will be desperate to pick up some form in order to try and replicate that run, or even go one better. She didn’t have a kind draw here though; Putintseva pushed her to the limit in their two previous matchups and should cause some problems again, even if Gauff remains a solid favorite to advance.
Prediction: Gauff in 3
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
