It promises to be another exciting day of WTA Rome action. Three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber’s contest is one of four predicted in this article. As always, we at LWOT predict all the matches taking place on Day 3 in Rome. But which players do you think will win?
WTA Rome Day 3 Predictions
Diana Shnaider vs Liudmila Samsonova
Head-to-head: First meeting
Samsonova’s struggles this season have been somewhat surprising. Her win against Naomi Osaka in Madrid was her first since February, before she then fell in the next round in Spain. This has the potential to be difficult if Shnaider’s powerful tennis finds its range, although the 20-year-old is yet to win a main draw clay-court match this year. Nonetheless, the slow Rome conditions may favour Shnaider more. They hinder Samsonova’s formidable serve, while giving Shnaider time on her groundstrokes, which she often needs. The younger Russian to cause an upset.
Prediction: Shnaider in 3
Daria Kasatkina vs Tatjana Maria
Head-to-head: Kasatkina 1-0 Maria
36-year-old Maria overcame Linda Fruhvirtova in the opening round, who is 17 years her junior. Her commitment to the sport continues to be inspiring to watch. However, she is very unlikely to defeat Kasatkina. The No. 10 seed in Rome is one of the best in the game at staying patient and picking the right moments to strike. That means she will not be fazed by Maria’s unique playing style, which sees her slice most of her groundstrokes. Kasatkina to progress in two sets, although each set is likely to contain many lengthy rallies.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 2
Aliaksandra Sasnovich vs Ekaterina Alexandrova
Head-to-head: Alexandrova 4-0 Sasnovich
Sasnovich has endured a difficult season so far but she picked up a valuable win against Anna Karolina Schmiedlova in the last round. All her previous matches with Alexandrova ended in straight set defeats, but this will be their first meeting on clay. Most of this contest will consist of Alexandrova’s attack seeking to break down Sasnovich’s defense. This meeting being on clay is unlikely to stop Alexandrova firing her way to victory for a fifth consecutive time against Sasnovich.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 2
Angelique Kerber vs Veronika Kudermetova
Head-to-head: Kerber 1-0 Kudermetova
Kerber won her first clay-court match of the year in the previous round, hammering Lauren Davis 6-1 6-0. Kudermetova is another player to experience a tough start to the season so far. She is defending many points after her run to the semifinal at this event last year. Despite her indifferent form, she is the favourite to beat Kerber. Although clay is the German’s least favoured surface, her athleticism would have given her a great chance in the past. The 36-year-old is understandably slower now, which gives Kudermetova’s powerful shots a better chance of taking her through in Rome.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 3
Main Photo Credit: Jonathan Hui – USA TODAY Sports
