France and Italy face at the United Cup, in one of the final group stage matches of this year’s edition. A win in the tie will be enough for France to qualify for the knockout stage, while Italy need to triumph in all three matches in the tie to be guaranteed a knockout spot. As ever, we at LWOT have predictions for all the United Cup matches. But which teams and players do you think will win?
United Cup Day 6 Predictions
Caroline Garcia vs Jasmine Paolini
Head-to-head: Garcia 4-2 Paolini
2023 was filled with a lot of difficult moments for Garcia. Hence, a strong opening to the season feels important for her, and she made a good start by winning her singles and doubles against Germany. Although Garcia leads the head-to-head, Paolini has won their last two matches. These were both at the end of last season, and each were dramatic three-set battles. This one is likely to be very close as well. Overall, Garcia gets a very narrow advantage, because I feel the courts in Sydney will give her an ideal amount of time to line up her powerful groundstrokes. However, a Paolini victory at the United Cup would not be a surprise.
Prediction: Garcia in 3
Adrian Mannarino vs Lorenzo Sonego
Head-to-head: Sonego 2-1 Mannarino
Both men suffered the same fate in their singles match against Germany. Each won the opening set against Alexander Zverev and played a lot of good tennis, but ultimately ended up losing. These two have not played in more than three years, making the head-to-head less relevant in this matchup. Sonego has more firepower, especially off his forehand, but Mannarino’s consistently flat shots could cause the Italian problems, especially into his weaker backhand side. It could go either way, but the Frenchman gets a slight edge at the United Cup.
Prediction: Mannarino in 3
Edouard Roger-Vasselin/Caroline Garcia vs Flavio Cobolli/Angelica Moratelli
Head-to-head: First meeting
This French pair won a dramatic doubles match with Germany 12-10 in the deciding tiebreak. It was one of the highest quality matches of the tournament so far. By contrast, the Italian pair of Sonego and Moratelli did not gel very well in their contest with the Germans. That is why they are set to replace Sonego with Cobolli.
Regardless, it is hard to foresee the Italians having more success this time round in the United Cup doubles. Garcia and Roger-Vasselin are both Grand Slam doubles champions. It will take an exceptional Italian performance to stop them. That is unlikely to happen.
Prediction: Roger-Vasselin/Garcia in 2
Main Photo Credit: Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
