Top seed Aryna Sabalenka begins her 2026 WTA Rome campaign against former French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova in a mouthwatering second-round match. Who will reach the next round?
WTA Rome Day 3 Predictions
Solana Sierra vs Anhelina Kalinina
Head-to-head: first meeting
Sierra made short work of German qualifier Tamara Korpatsch in the opening round. Korpatsch was visibly fatigued after playing a three-and-a-half-hour qualifying match less than 24 hours before the start of the main draw. The Argentine was the fresher player and won the match in straight sets. While Kalinina went through qualifying this week, she did so without dropping a set and benefited from having a day off. The Ukrainian’s game suits this surface (former finalist) and her ranking is quietly soaring.
Prediction: Kalinina in 2
Katerina Siniakova vs Anna Kalinskaya
Head-to-head: Kalinskaya 2-1 Siniakova
Siniakova arrived in Rome with noticeably heavy strapping on her leg. That suggested she may be managing a niggling injury, but the Czech did not look in a spot of bother on the match court as she swept aside Lois Boisson 6-2 6-3 in 80 minutes. Siniakova’s game depends a lot on her agility and footwork, and that will be put to the test against a flat hitter like Kalinskaya. The Russian can expose any movement limitations.
Prediction: Kalinskaya in 2
McCartney Kessler vs Iva Jovic
Head-to-head: first meeting
Aryna Sabalenka vs Barbora Krejcikova
Head-to-head: Sabalenka 6-1 Krejcikova
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images
