It should be an entertaining sixth day at the Foro Italico with the third round set to conclude in the Italian capital. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate on day six at the WTA Rome Open, including Danielle Collins vs Caroline Garcia, but who will advance?
WTA Rome Day 6 Predictions
Sara Sorribes Tormo vs Jelena Ostapenko
Head-to-head: Sorribes Tormo 2-0 Ostapenko
This is an ancient head-to-head with their last meeting coming back in 2016. Jelena Ostapenko has since won Roland Garros and made multiple good runs in Rome, while Sara Sorribes Tormo is a WTA Tour regular despite not reaching the same heights. Stylistically this is a fascinating contrast as well with the power of the Latvian coming up against her opponent’s grit and defensive skills. You never know what you’re going to get with Ostapenko, but it’s on her racket.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
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Victoria Azarenka vs Mayar Sherif
Head-to-head: first meeting
Mayar Sherif peaking in the clay season is never really a surprise anymore and after the final in Lleida last week, she has now defeated Petra Martic and Jasmine Paolini in Rome. The question becomes if she can take down the 2013 finalist Victoria Azarenka, who’s looking pretty solid this year overall. While so much of Sherif’s game and that extreme forehand grip is designed to excel on the dirt, the Belarusian might just be a level above her in terms of overall quality.
Prediction: Azarenka in 2
Elina Svitolina vs Anna Kalinskaya
Head-to-head: first meeting
Anna Kalinskaya suffered a couple of surprising losses in Stuttgart and Madrid in clay conditions that should theoretically be suiting her early timing and aggressive game. But it’s Rome where the Russian picks up a dominant win over Clara Tauson and she also performed well here last year before having to retire against the eventual champion Elena Rybakina. With Elina Svitolina being so unimpressive of late, it feels like we have some (mild) upset potential in this one.
Prediction: Kalinskaya in 3
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Aryna Sabalenka vs Dayana Yastremska
Head-to-head: Yastremska 3-0 Sabalenka
Yes, you read that right. Dayana Yastremska leads the head-to-head over Aryna Sabalenka 3-0, but all of these matches came a long while ago when they were actually regarded as a similar caliber of prospects. In fact, even their playstyles carry plenty of similarities. That might not be the best news for Yastremska as isn’t Sabalenka just a fellow big-hitter with a lot more control over her game? If the World No. 2 can keep up her momentum from Madrid, she should be fine here.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Main photo credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
