Former World No. 1 Naomi Osaka is slowly but surely finding her game again, but the clay season might be a bit of an interruption. At WTA Rome she’s already defeated Clara Burel though and now has to take on Top 20 player Marta Kostyuk in the second round. Who do you think will prevail?
WTA Rome Day 3 Predictions
Beatriz Haddad Maia vs Wang Xinyu
Head-to-head: Haddad Maia 3-1
Wang Xinyu gave Beatriz Haddad Maia just four games when they played in Doha earlier this year, which was relatively surprising. The Chinese hasn’t picked up any results of note since then though and her opponent is now coming off Madrid quarterfinals (where she took a set off Iga Swiatek). While Wang has some decent clay-court potential, Haddad Maia is much more of a natural on these courts too. Seems like an opportunity to exact revenge.
Prediction: Haddad Maia in 2
Yulia Putintseva vs Sloane Stephens
Head-to-head: 3-3
This match might get a bit overlooked in the stacked Thursday schedule, but it absolutely shouldn’t. The rivalry of Yulia Putintseva and Sloane Stephens dates back to 2017 and neither of their six matches thus far has ended in straight sets. The American recently picked up the title in Rouen, Putintseva has had brilliant runs at the last three WTA 1000 events. Sounds like a cracker. Who’s the favorite? Maybe the grittier, more disciplined Kazakh.
Prediction: Putintseva in 3
Shelby Rogers vs Zheng Qinwen
Head-to-head: Zheng 1-0
Shelby Rogers is just 5-5 since her comeback, but only gave Lisa Pigato one game in the opening round here. The quality of the competition goes up tenfold here and yet she’s not exactly drawing dead against Zheng Qinwen. That’s because the Chinese has been struggling with her health of late and even had to pull out against Yulia Putintseva in Madrid. If she’s fit she probably still gets this done, but that’s now a few months with Zheng not winning much anymore.
Prediction: Zheng in 3
Naomi Osaka vs Marta Kostyuk
Head-to-head: Osaka 1-0
Clay isn’t the perfect surface for Naomi Osaka to continue her journey back to the top, so any win she can pick up right now is worth a lot. She was serving extremely well against Clara Burel in the opening round and will need to produce something like that again to take down Marta Kostyuk. That’s because the Ukrainian will be able to test her footwork on the dirt and has been one of the most in-form players of the season. Beating her would legit be one of the best clay wins of Osaka’s career.
Prediction: Kostyuk in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey – USA TODAY Sports
