Day 1 at the WTA 1000 in Rome set the ball rolling with a handful of matches, serving as a curtain-raiser in the last chance for players to make a bold statement in the last top clay event before the French Open. Day 2 features a lot more matches involving a host of players yet to really make their mark this clay season, who and will certainly be looking to make a decent run here in the Italian capital. We here at LWOT will, as always, offer our insights on the matches and who might advance. Let’s dive in.
WTA Rome Day 2 Predictions
Viktorija Golubic vs Federica Urgesi
Head-to-head: first meeting
A first match-up between a veteran and a young qualifier. Viktorija Golubic has not been having the best of years and has been playing at lower levels. Urgesi is a player not accustomed to this level and, in truth, is out of her depth here. She did well to come through qualifying, which has to be considered a plus. Her opponent, though, Golubic is a very crafty player with loads of experience that the young Italian doesn’t have. The Swiss will certainly move her around and make what is new territory for Urgesi even more testing. It feels like a match that rests on Golubic’s racquet.
Prediction: Golubic in 2
Katie Boulter vs Eva Lys
Head-to-head: Lys 1-0 Boulter
The German, Lys, has played only a handful of matches this year, and when she has, the results have been pretty awful, with only two wins since the start of the year. She did beat Boulter last year, as recently as October, so she should come into this match feeling a bit positive about her chances. Boulter has had a decent season so far by her standards and should really be winning this match. Their game styles are similar, both being aggressive baseliners. Such a game style requires confidence in your shots, and Lys is likely short on that at the moment. I expect Boulter to take advantage.
Prediction: Boulter in 3
Dalma Galfi vs Anastasia Potapova
Head-to-head: Potapova 2-0 Galfi
Potapova is certainly one of those players who has made their mark in this clay season. She leads their head-to-head and, based on her recent form, should be very confident about this match-up. Fatigue is the only concern as she has played a lot recently. Galfi has had an encouraging few weeks, having also come through qualifiers against decent opposition. That said, Potapova is flying right now, and this feels like a match she should dominate.
Prediction: Potapova in 2
Lucrezia Stefanini vs Jelena Ostapenko
Head-to-head: first meeting
Ostapenko is definitely capable of the spectacular. She has had an underwhelming season so far, unable to win three consecutive games. She now faces a home player, here via a wild card. The Italian has not had a good run of it, even at lower levels, and, in truth, is out of her depth here against a player of Ostapenko’s quality. The only concern, as always, with Ostapenko is how dialled in she is for this one. Stefanini will be keen to impress in front of a home crowd and may very well win a set. But that’s probably as good as it gets.
Predictions: Ostapenko in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
