The WTA Rome qualifying round unfolds on Monday. The biggest tournament before the French Open gets going in Italy. Players who did not do well in Madrid will try to bounce back in Rome and gain some momentum on clay before moving to Paris later in May. There’s a lot to play for in Rome. Let’s look at three matches on the Monday card.
WTA Rome
Zarazua – Urgesi: Time 5:30 EST
H2H: 0-0
Renata Zarazua has never met Federica Urgesi before in play, but their difference in skill level is the likely culprit behind it all. While Zarasua is inside the top 90 players in the World, Urgesi isn’t even in the top 400. While Zarazua did play her last two tournaments at the Challenger level, at least she won one of them. That she needed three sets to beat most of her opponents in that tournament is a bit telling, but she did win.
Best Bet to Make
This is an unbelievably easy match to bet on in terms of the victor, but the question is whether these opponents will continue to be a problem for Zarazua. I’m going to give Zarazua the benefit of the doubt one time in this tournament. If she makes me look like a fool, then I’ll start picking foolish bets for her down the line. Take the under on 19 games at 1.95 on 10Bet.
That being said, Under 19 games is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/ the best odds: Under 19 games @1.95 @10Bet
Masarova – Uchijima: Time 8:00 EST
H2H: 0-0
Rebecca Masarova vs Moyuka Uchijima is one of those matches that ought to be as entertaining as it is informative. For Masarova, this tournament is a great chance to earn points in her attempt to climb the rankings. The problem that Masarova will run into is the clay bulldozer that is Uchijima in 2026. At 14-4, Uchijima is coming off a tournament title at WTA Saint-Malo over Tereza Valentova.
Best Bet to Make
Masarova just hasn’t been very good this year outside of her quarterfinal finish in Austin. Every other tournament has seen her exit fairly early, and no later than the round of 16. I think Uchijima here is a very live underdog, especially on clay. Given her confidence and the fact that she already has two clay titles, Uchijima straight up at 1.95 on Betway is the steal of the day. I cannot believe she has these odds given their two records on clay.
That being said, betting on Uchijima winning is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/ the best odds: Uchijima winning @1.95 @Betway
Semenistaja – Volynets: Time 7:00 EST
H2H: 0-0
Darja Semenistaja has played a mix of ITF and WTA events this year. She’s actually managed to amass five different quarterfinal showings in tournaments this year, but her other results aren’t nearly as promising. It might also not help that two of those five were at ITF tournaments. Katie Volynets has a single semifinal appearance, and that’s the entire extent of her success in 2026.
Best Bet to Make
This is a fairly tricky match on which to bet. Neither lady is really doing too terribly well this year. The books do see Volynets as a pretty confident favorite. You can pull down a return on Volynets straight up, but it’s nothing that you’re going to be overly pleased with. I am more fond of the idea of taking Volynets on a spread.
That being said, betting on Volynets +2.5 games is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/ the best odds: Volynets +2.5 games @1.91 @Unibet
Main Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
