Sofia Kenin has another chance to try and ignite her season on Day 2 of the WTA 1000 event in Rome. But she will need to overcome home favourite Lucia Bronzetti in the opening round. That contest is one of four predicted in this article. As always, we at LWOT predict all the Day 2 WTA Rome matches, including Naomi Osaka vs Clara Burel, Amanda Anisimova vs Sara Errani, Donna Vekic vs Lesia Tsurenko and Caroline Dolehide vs Bernara Pera.
WTA Rome Day 2 Predictions
Magda Linette vs Lin Zhu
Head-to-head: Zhu 2-0 Linette
These players have had very different results so far during the clay-court season. Zhu’s only match on the dirt in 2024 was in Madrid, where she suffered a shock loss to Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva. By contrast, Linette reached the final in Rouen, before coming close to toppling world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka in the second-round in Madrid. Zhu is dangerous in any conditions when she finds her range, but she is least naturally comfortable on clay. The slow clay-courts in Rome will also make it even harder to hit through her Linette, which gives the Pole another edge.
Prediction: Linette in 3
Nadia Podoroska vs Sara Sorribes Tormo
Head-to-head: Sorribes Tormo 2-0 Podoroska
It will be interesting to see how Sorribes Tormo backs up her very strong week on home soil in Madrid, where she defeated Elina Svitolina and Victoria Azarenka to make the Round of 16. Podoroska is a clay-court specialist but she is yet to find her best level on her favourite surface this year. The Argentine needs to hit her forehand consistently well against Sorribes Tormo, who is one of the best defensive players in the women’s game. Recently, Podoroska’s game has been breaking down under pressure and the Spaniard is capable of extracting enough errors to prevail in Rome.
Prediction: Sorribes Tormo in 2
Varvara Gracheva vs Federica Di Sarra
Head-to-head: Gracheva 1-0 Di Sarra
Gracheva needs to try and build some confidence. The talented Frenchwoman has only won two matches since the end of the Australian Open. However, despite her poor form, this is a great chance to get a victory. Wildcard Di Sarra is currently ranked outside the Top 500. The Italian has been in the Top 200, but Gracheva is a major favourite to progress. There is a risk of her season seriously collapsing if she loses a match like this one.
Prediction: Gracheva in 2
Sofia Kenin vs Lucia Bronzetti
Head-to-head: Kenin 1-0 Bronzetti
Kenin’s struggles remain puzzling. This season had promised much for the 2020 Australian Open champion after a very strong comeback season in 2023. Unfortunately, her victory at the WTA 125 event in Lleida last week was just her second singles victory this season. Bronzetti has been inconsistent this year, but in front of her home fans, she just needs to focus on being solid and putting the pressure on Kenin to finally perform. The slow conditions in Rome probably do not suit the American right now either, with Kenin likely to perform better in conditions where she does not have as much time to think about her shots too much.
Prediction: Bronzetti in 3
Main Photo Credit: Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports
