The first two days of two-week WTA 1000 events can sometimes lack in headline matches, but it’s not the case here in Rome. Maria Sakkari vs Belinda Bencic is a matchup that once could have been a clash between two high seeds in the latter stages of an event like that. With both players on the comeback trail, who do you think will come out on top this time?
WTA Rome Day 2 Predictions
Moyuka Uchijima vs Eva Lys
Head-to-head: First meeting
It seemed like Moyuka Uchijima might fall into ranking trouble soon when her points for the 2024 ITF win streak start dropping, but the Japanese made sure to cover that with a stunning run in Madrid last week. She was posting big wins left and right before losing to Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals. While the conditions in Rome are completely different, the confidence from that effort has to mean something. And Eva Lys doesn’t quite have the kind of game that would allow her to blow Uchijima off the court.
Prediction: Uchijima in 3
Bianca Andreescu vs Federica Urgesi
Head-to-head: First meeting
20-year-old Federica Urgesi had her first shot in Rome two years ago in qualifying, losing to Magdalena Frech after a dramatic first set tie-break. This main draw appearance is not going to be easy for the World No. 455, but it also has to be perceived as a big opportunity. Tennis-wise, she probably won’t have much to say against Bianca Andreescu. But the Canadian’s been constantly injured and after she won just four games against Kimberly Birrell last week, who knows…
Prediction: Andreescu in 2
Caroline Dolehide vs Sorana Cirstea
Head-to-head: First meeting
Sorana Cirstea might be outside the Top 100 right now, but her quality is still there and she’s been able to access it at least in some performances. Last year she posted a couple of wins at this tournament before losing to Madison Keys in the fourth round. While the 35-year-old is far from the prime of her career, she still seems a bit better than Caroline Dolehide in the slower clay conditions in Rome. The American might not fare too well if you pull her into a grinding contest.
Prediction: Cirstea in 2
Maria Sakkari vs Belinda Bencic
Head-to-head: Sakkari 2-1
Some big names clashing here with the former World No. 3 and former World No. 4. Maria Sakkari recently reunited with her former coach Tom Hill and had her best tournament of the season in Madrid with a fourth-round exit. The altitude conditions there suited her much better than Rome, but she was still able to follow it up by getting through the qualifying draw. It’s not clear-cut anymore as while Belinda Bencic seems a bit stronger, Sakkari is finally heading in the right direction.
Prediction: Bencic in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
