All eight WTA Rome Round of 16 matches will be played on Monday. US Open champions Coco Gauff and Emma Raducanu are scheduled to meet in what should be a blockbuster encounter. Aryna Sabalenka and Danielle Collins’ matches are also predicted in this article. We at LWOT predict the rest of the action in a separate article.
WTA Rome Day 7 Predictions
Jasmine Paolini vs Jelena Ostapenko
Head-to-head: Ostapenko 2-1 Paolini
Ostapenko dismantled Paolini 6-2 6-2 during her run to the Qatar Open final in February. The 2017 French Open champion possesses a hard-hitting style that does not suit Paolini, who prefers to have time on her shots. Last year’s Wimbledon finalist has also not always played her best tennis in front of her home fans, although she was solid against Ons Jabeur in the previous round. Predicting the mercurial Ostapenko’s matches is never easy, but the former semifinalist’s good record in Rome and playing style make me think she can beat Paolini and the Italian crowd.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
Danielle Collins vs Elina Svitolina
Head-to-head: Collins 2-1 Svitolina
Although the Madrid Open semifinalist Svitolina’s recent results have been impressive, she faces a formidable task if Collins’ level is the same as it was against Iga Swiatek. In contrast to the American’s level, Svitolina’s performance against Hailey Baptiste was patchy. While it would be wrong ever to rule out the Ukrainan’s chances, Collins likes the conditions in Rome and seems locked in. When the 2022 Australian Open runner-up is in that mood, she is tough to stop.
Prediction: Collins in 2
Aryna Sabalenka vs Marta Kostyuk
Head-to-head: Sabalenka 3-0 Kostyuk
Kostyuk pushed Sabalenka very hard less than two weeks ago in Madrid, falling in two close tiebreaks. The world No. 1’s patchy performance against Sofia Kenin in the previous round may have also provided encouragement. However, Sabalenka’s ability to fight through that match from a set down despite being way below her best is also a positive. Kostyuk was helped at the Madrid Open by Sabalenka struggling in windy conditions. The weather is scheduled to be much more settled on Monday in Rome, which favors the three-time Grand Slam champion.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Coco Gauff vs Emma Raducanu
Head-to-head: Gauff 1-0 Raducanu
Raducanu played two of her best sets on clay to beat Veronika Kudermetova 5-7 6-0 6-1 in the previous round. Gauff won without coming near her best tennis against Victoria Mboko and Magda Linette. Nonetheless, she remains a considerable favorite against Raducanu on clay. The defensive skills and athleticism the Briton based her game on, which led to consistent errors from Kudermetova, are less likely to be successful against the world No. 3 on a slow clay-court. Raducanu must be aggressive and successful on second-serve return and dominate the forehand exchanges to have a chance.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
