This is a difficult clay season for Iga Swiatek with the Pole still trying to regain confidence despite having to defend title after title. A three-time champion at the WTA 1000 in Rome (2021-22, 2024), this is one of the events where the pressure on her will be the highest. The 23-year-old will start her campaign against Elisabetta Cocciaretto. Who do you think will come out on top?
WTA Rome Day 3 Predictions
Peyton Stearns vs Anna Kalinskaya
Head-to-head: Kalinskaya 1-0
Peyton Stearns had been a little out of it for most of the season, but after a run in Madrid her stocks are definitely rising. She wasted no time taking advantage of a pretty pleasant draw when she dispatched Nuria Brancaccio in the opening round. Anna Kalinskaya seems like one of the vulnerable seeds at the moment, especially with her health being an ongoing issue. While she has done pretty well here in the past, Stearns’s heavy forehand might mean more on these courts than her flatter, more risky hitting.
Prediction: Stearns in 3
Diana Shnaider vs Caroline Dolehide
Head-to-head: First meeting
Caroline Dolehide had some good fortune on Wednesday, avoiding Sorana Cirstea and instead facing lucky loser Olivia Gadecki. The American’s game doesn’t really suit the slower clay conditions in Rome, but she can still be pretty competent on this surface. That might not be enough here. Against Diana Shnaider, it will be tough for Dolehide to control her error count with the Russian providing such a strong presence on the court, both offensively and defensively.
Prediction: Shnaider in 2
Madison Keys vs Varvara Gracheva
Head-to-head: First meeting
Madison Keys remains the World No. 2 in the WTA Race with her Australian Open title and while it’s likely that Iga Swiatek or Mirra Andreeva might overtake her soon, the American also isn’t suffering any horrible dip. Last week she took a set off Swiatek in Madrid quarterfinals and there might be a possibility of a rematch here. Of course they both need a few wins to get there, but Keys seems consistent enough right now that upsets are far less likely than in the past.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Iga Swiatek vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto
Head-to-head: First meeting
Iga Swiatek typically enters the Italian Open as a massive favorite, especially as in the last four editions she only lost one match (and that was via retirement). But for the first time in years, we have some doubts regarding her game or mental state. Still, it will take a special effort to beat Swiatek in Rome. There’s a certain range of players that can do it and it’s tough to see Elisabetta Cocciaretto getting there. The Italian just doesn’t possess that kind of weaponry.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
