A quick turnaround, as we pivot into the WTA Rome Masters following what was an exciting event in Madrid, which produced quite an unexpected champion. A few players would certainly be looking to make a good run of their own here in the Italian capital. As is now tradition, we at LWOT will provide insights on all the matches and share our opinion on who we think will prevail. But who will advance at WTA Rome?
WTA Rome Day 1 Predictions
Anna Bondar vs Zheng Qinwen
Head-to-head: Qinwen 2-0 Bondar
Not too long ago, Zheng Qinwen was one of the leading lights on the WTA tour and was expected to do great things. Injury, however, halted her momentum, and she is now trying to get back to her best. She now faces Anna Bondar, a player she beat twice long ago. Bondar had a good run in the Madrid Masters, getting to the round of 16 and losing to eventual finalist Mirra Andreeva. She should come into this with some confidence against a player who is still finding her feet.
The reality, though, is that Zheng, despite not yet being at her brilliant best, lost her last two matches to the top two players currently on the WTA tour. She has also beaten some respectable names during this time. This match should be another step in the right direction.
Prediction: Zheng in 2
McCartney Kessler vs Lucia Bronzetti
Head-to-head: first meeting
A WTA Rome first-round match between two players who can certainly make this a dogfight. It promises to be a hard-fought affair between two players who will certainly believe they can win this one. Bronzetti comes into this via a wild card and, despite not being the bookies’ favourite, will be playing in front of her home crowd, who will no doubt be cheering her on.
Her ability to grind and make matches a war of attrition will be exactly the impetus the crowd will need to drive her on. She has also spent most of the year on clay, though she has produced a run of poor results. Kessler will definitely test her and ask plenty of questions of her, but I think the home crowd will give her the edge here in the crucial moments.
Predictions: Bronzetti in 3
Sofia Kenin vs Bianca Andreescu
Head to head: Andreescu 4-2 Kenin
The draw gods probably threw this match-up in just to get a kick. This one puts two Grand Slam champions who have since lost their way. They met in April at Charleston, where Kenin won in straight sets. However, both players could be said to be competing for who has had the worst season so far. It, thus, makes this match feel like an absolute coin flip. They both come into this one with absolutely no momentum whatsoever.
It could be a match that explodes as they both suddenly remember what they’re capable of, or it could be a poor-quality affair with neither ready to take the initiative. In any case, I’ll lean towards the Canadian, simply because she’s still chalked up more wins this season, albeit at a lower level and has also played more matches on clay, so is possibly better conditioned.
Prediction: Andreescu in 3
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea – USA TODAY Sports
