There is another busy day of WTA Rome matches scheduled. This includes Aryna Sabalenka’s opening match of the tournament against the gritty American Katie Volynets. As always, we at LWOT predict all the WTA contests taking place, split between this and three other articles. Those articles feature Ons Jabeur vs Sofia Kenin, Maria Sakkari vs Varvara Gracheva, and Elena Rybakina vs Irina-Camelia Begu. Which players do you expect to prevail in Rome?
WTA Rome Day 4 Predictions
Katie Boulter vs Rebecca Sramkova
Head-to-head: First meeting
Injuries mean Boulter has not played very much tennis on clay in recent years. With that background, there were many positives in her tight loss in Madrid to Robin Montgomery. World No. 120 Sramkova is the type of draw Boulter would have hoped for. The Slovakian’s victory against wildcard Georgia Pedone will not prepare her for the Briton’s power. Boulter should be able to triumph on her least favourite surface in two sets.
Prediction: Boulter in 2
Anna Kalinskaya vs Clara Tauson
Head-to-head: First meeting
There will be a lot of big-hitting between these two. Tauson easily won her opening match against Daria Saville, although the Australian’s style is completely different to Kalinskaya. This contest will be decided by which of the two players can implement their powerful style more effectively. Tauson can compete with anyone at her best but recent evidence suggests Kalinskaya’s level does not drop as often.
Prediction: Kalinskaya in 3
Jasmine Paolini vs Mayar Sherif
Head-to-head: Sherif 1-0 Paolini
Clay-court specialist Sherif is looking formidable again on the dirt after some injury issues earlier in the season. Her opening round win against Petra Martic followed last week’s final at the WTA 125 event in Lleida. The Egyptian also beat Paolini on clay last year in a very tight match. Nonetheless, the Italian should still win in front of her home fans. Her progress in the last 12 months has been phenomenal, and at her best, she does every part of the game slightly better than Sherif.
Prediction: Paolini in 2
Aryna Sabalenka vs Katie Volynets
Head-to-head: First meeting
Volynets’ determination and positive body language is always a joy to watch. Those attributes have seen her beat Ons Jabeur and Mirra Andreeva this year. However, she is very unlikely to cause a shock against Sabalenka. The American will mix up her spins and put a lot of balls into court, but more firepower is needed to trouble the world No. 2. Volynets’ task is even harder because of Sabalenka’s recent form, as was seen in last week’s run to the final in Madrid.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
