The final clay-court Masters event of the year kicks off in Rome. Day 1 features some terrific WTA matchups, despite three players withdrawing from the event. Angelique Kerber’s opening match is one of three predicted in this article. As always, we at LWOT predict all the contests taking place on Day 1, including Martina Trevisan vs Yulia Putintseva and Mirra Andreeva vs Paula Badosa.
WTA Rome Day 1 Predictions
Vittoria Paganetti vs Lucreziea Stefanini
Head-to-head: First meeting
This is a battle between two of the wildcards in Rome. Stefanini has more experience and pedigree in the sport, having briefly been in the Top 100 last year. By contrast, 17-year-old Paganetti is at the very beginning of her career and is currently ranked outside the Top 800. The teenager has nothing to lose, with her older compatriot expected to win this. It is unlikely that Stefanini will be the victim of a major upset against a player ranked more than 600 places below her.
Prediction: Stefanini in 2
Arantxa Rus vs Camila Osorio
Head-to-head: First meeting
Rus made headlines for the wrong reasons after a 6-0 6-0 loss to Coco Gauff in Madrid. The Dutchwoman actually plays her best tennis on clay but the American’s game was a terrible matchup for her. Osorio also prefers playing on the dirt, which she proved with her run to the title at the Copa Colsanitas a few weeks ago. The Colombian is likely to be the aggressor in this match. Rus is an excellent athlete and will also use her heavy left-handed forehand to try and keep the ball out of Osorio’s hitting range. This could go either way, but Osorio’s powerful cross-court forehand into Rus’ weaker backhand might make the difference at WTA Rome.
Prediction: Osorio in 3
Angelique Kerber vs Lauren Davis
Head-to-head: Kerber 1-1 Davis
Neither player has managed to win a match yet on clay in 2024. Kerber was soundly beaten in her only match in Stuttgart, while Davis has lost all three of her matches. The American returned at the start of the clay-court season after a long injury, making her results so far understandable. She does have a chance against the three-time Grand Slam champion, whose least favourite surface is clay. However, Davis is also least comfortable playing on the dirt. The greater class of Kerber will probably take her through what could be a scrappy contest.
Prediction: Kerber in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke – USA TODAY Sports
