Second-round action at WTA Rome pits Emma Navarro in a tough match against home crowd favorite Elisabetta Cocciaretto. This will be Navarro’s first match since early March, ending a near two-month hiatus. Who will advance?
WTA Rome Day 4 Predictions
Xinyu Wang vs Alexandra Eala
Head-to-head: Wang 1-0 Eala
This is an interesting all-Asian clash. There is so much hype and expectation around Alexandra Eala back in her home country, although the results have not been up to par with the lofty standards. While her ranking has fallen 13 spots from a career high, she is still inside the Top 50. Wang won their only career meeting in Auckland back in January. That was a three-setter. And with both women synonymous for playing aggressive tennis, this will be close again. I’m leaning toward Eala. She’s been sharper and has more control of her ground strokes.
Prediction: Eala in 3
Karolina Pliskova vs Jaqueline Cristian
Head-to-head: first meeting
Pliskova’s quarterfinal run in Madrid should not be dismissed as a one-off result. The big-serving Czech defeated the energetic Bouzas Maneiro in three sets to kick off the tournament at WTA Rome in some style. Pliskova has now won seven of her last nine matches on clay as she inches closer to a Top 100 return. Cristian’s ranking is trending up, and she is one of the hardest workers on tour. The Romanian will force Pliskova to earn every point, but if the former World No. 1 serves well and strikes cleanly from the baseline, that should be decisive.
Prediction: Pliskova in 3
surrounding Alexandra Eala back in her home country, although her results have not been up to
Victoria Mboko vs Tyra Caterina Grant
Head-to-head: first meeting
Mboko is now an established Top 10 star with early success at this level. Last year, she qualified for this tournament and took Coco Gauff to a deciding set on her main draw debut. 18-year-old Caterina Grant has the talent to become a future star, and Italy fast-tracked her change of nationality. This match will be tighter than many expect simply because Mboko has only featured once this swing and lost heavily in Madrid. That said, the Canadian’s shot-making ability is a level above Grant’s.
Prediction: Mboko in 3
Emma Navarro vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto
Head-to-head: Navarro 1-1 Cocciaretto
Emma Navarro returns to action at WTA Rome. She’s been inactive for nearly two months due to undisclosed health issues. Navarro missed several key events on home soil and the first half of the clay swing and starts this tournament ranked outside the Top 30. Cocciaretto has a match under her belt, and she is playing in her home tournament. Her game naturally fits on this surface, and she’d had success at the lower levels. Navarro will probably take time to hit the ground running after the long layoff. I’ll give the edge to Cocciaretto.
Prediction: Cocciaretto in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey – Imagn Images
