It promises to be an exciting opening day of WTA Rome action. Ten matches are scheduled in total, and four of them are predicted in this article. As always, we at LWOT predict all the action, including Petra Kvitova vs Irina-Camelia Begu and Rebecca Sramkova vs McCartney Kessler.
WTA Rome Day 1 Predictions
Lulu Sun vs Giorgia Pedone
Head-to-head: First meeting
Sun’s worst surface is clay, and she could be susceptible to being upset by some lower-ranked players in the draw. However, being defeated by world No. 229 Pedone is unlikely. The wild card has lost both her matches on clay so far in 2025, and a home crowd will probably not give her enough inspiration to defeat Sun.
Prediction: Sun in 2
Marie Bouzkova vs Mayar Sherif
Head-to-head: First meeting
This could be one of the longest WTA matches of the season if it goes to three sets. Bouzkova and Sherif base their games on grit and being difficult to hit through. Clay is Sherif’s best surface and Bouzkova’s worst, giving the Egyptian her best chance of winning. Nonetheless, Bouzkova is in better form and will not mind battling for a few hours to win if necessary, which is a mindset that gives her a better chance of coming through this match.
Prediction: Bouzkova in 3
Peyton Stearns vs Nuria Brancaccio
Head-to-head: First meeting
No. 129 Branaccio is a significant underdog against Stearns, a very competent player on clay. The Italian is a clay-court specialist, and all her Challenger and ITF finals have come on the dirt, which might give her some hope. But it is challenging to see how she will be able to cope with Stearns’ superior firepower and consistency, especially from her forehand.
Prediction: Stearns in 2
Ann Li vs Jessica Bouzas Maneiro
Head-to-head: Li 1-0 Bouzas Maneiro
Li proved how competent she is on clay by beating Leylah Fernandez during her run to the round of 32 at the Madrid Open. This promises to be a tight battle between two women who try to dominate with their forehands. I feel the slow conditions in Rome compared to those in Madrid might favor Bouzas Maneiro slightly more and allow the Spaniard to use her impressive athleticism to defend against Li’s powerful hitting.
Prediction: Bouzas Maneiro in 3
Main Photo Credit: Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
