It promises to be an exciting second day the WTA Rome Open and, as always, we at LWOT predict every the match on the slate on Day 2 at the Foro Italico, split between five articles. Our others feature Sofia Kenin vs Lucia Bronzetti, Amanda Anisimova vs Sara Errani, Donna Vekic vs Lesia Tsurenko, and Caroline Dolehide vs Bernarda Pera. But who will book their place in the second round in the Italian capital?
WTA Rome Day 2 Predictions
Diane Parry vs Anna Blinkova
Head-to-head: Parry 1-0 Blinkova
Diane Parry missed the WTA 1000 event in Madrid after an injury she sustained at the Rouen Open a few weeks ago. It was a major blow for the Frenchwoman, who usually plays her best tennis on clay. Anna Blinkova has lost all three of her matches on the dirt so far this year. At her best, Parry is the better clay-court player, with her heavy topspin forehand one of the most devastating in women’s tennis on the surface. Any lingering effects from her injury is more likely to stop her than Blinkova’s level.
Prediction: Parry in 2
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Rebecca Sramkova vs Georgia Pedone
Head-to-head: first meeting
Rebecca Sramkova played very well in qualifying to make this stage. She defeated the dangerous Harriet Dart and capable clay-court player Darja Semenistaja in straight-sets to qualify for the main-draw. 19-year-old Georgia Pedone is a wildcard that is currently ranked outside the Top 200, although she reached a career-high ranking last month. She will hope to find inspiration in front of her home fans but an upset seems unlikely because of how well Sramkova is playing in Rome.
Prediction: Sramkova in 2
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Cristina Bucsa vs Elina Avanesyan
Head-to-head: first meeting
Elina Avanesyan has more clay-court pedigree than Cristina Bucsa. However, the Russian suffered a surprising and heavy defeat to Robin Montgomery in the first-round in Madrid. By contrast, Bucsa beat Harriet Dart at her home tournament and then came very close to upsetting Daria Kasatkina. The speed of the court could make a key difference, with the conditions in Rome slower than in Madrid. That is likely to favour Avanesyan slightly more, who is adept at grinding players down on clay, but this is likely to be close.
Prediction: Avanesyan in 3
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Naomi Osaka vs Clara Burel
Head-to-head: first meeting
There were positives for Naomi Osaka in Madrid. After easily winning her opening match, she narrowly lost to Liudmila Samsonova in the second-round. Her level from that contest will probably be enough against Clara Burel. The Frenchwoman is a strong clay-court player, with two WTA finals on the dirt to her name. But she has not made a good start to the clay season this year. The slow conditions in Rome will help Burel put a lot of balls into the court but Osaka should still have enough to hit through Burel.
Prediction: Osaka in 2
Main photo credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
