Ten women’s singles matches have been scheduled for Tuesday at the Italian Open. One of the highlights of the day will undoubtedly be the teenage superstar Mirra Andreeva taking on former World No. 2 Paula Badosa. Who do you think will come out on top?
WTA Rome Day 1 Predictions
Wang Xinyu vs Yuan Yue
Head-to-head: Yuan 1-0
Yuan Yue has been a slightly underrated hero of this WTA Tour season so far. Can she follow up on these results with clay success, though? That remains to be seen, but her Madrid loss to Yulia Putintseva sure looks much better in hindsight. She’s already defeated Wang Xinyu this year, and her compatriot isn’t that much more accomplished as a clay-courter. This one looks pretty impossible to predict, Wang might have a touch more clay-court potential in general, but it’s not like she’s been proving it left and right of late.
Prediction: Wang in 3
Magdalena Frech vs Ashlyn Krueger
Head-to-head: Krueger 1-0
It’s an interesting matchup in these conditions. Ashlyn Krueger has a huge power advantage and didn’t let her lack of clay experience fluster her too much at altitude in Madrid, but she’ll likely have more issues keeping the error count low at WTA Rome. Then again, Magdalena Frech is actually more dangerous as a defender on faster courts with her slices, footwork, and groundstrokes that lack penetration. All in all, maybe Krueger will just manage to power through the court anyway. The American already demolished Frech once on a slow court in Indian Wells.
Prediction: Krueger in 3
Mirra Andreeva vs Paula Badosa
Head-to-head: First meeting
Given her health struggles in the last few months, Madrid was still a good run for Mirra Andreeva, despite the way it ended up with Aryna Sabalenka just completely blowing her off the court. Now it’s time to follow it up, and while Paula Badosa seems like a nightmare opening round, the big question is whether the Spaniard will even be healthy enough to compete for at least two sets. Someone as solid defensively as Andreeva should probably outlast her, even if it’s close at first.
Prediction: Andreeva in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane – USA TODAY Sports
