The quarterfinal matches at the WTA Italian Open in Rome will be played over two days. The first two matches, scheduled for Tuesday, will feature the top half as Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff remain on a collision course. On Wednesday, second seed Aryna Sabalenka will meet ninth seed Jelena Ostapenko. So, who will reach the semifinal?
WTA Rome Quarterfinal Predictions
Iga Swiatek vs Madison Keys
Head-to-head: Swiatek 3-1 Keys
This is a rematch from Madrid. Swiatek dropped just four games there. It could be argued Keys had a better shot at beating the Pole at altitude because of reduced air resistance, which aids in accelerating shots. Still, expect the American to keep the top seed at arm’s length with her overwhelming power, especially on the forehand. There have been a few jitters in Swiatek’s game in her last two matches, hinting that Keys might be good enough to get at least a set
Prediction: Swiatek in 3
Coco Gauff vs Qinwen Zheng
Head-to-head: first meeting
Zheng won the grudge match against Osaka, currently coached by Wim Fisette. The Chinese player accused the Belgian coach of “breaking the contract” in controversial circumstances last year while she was tied to her camp. Now, Zheng’s coach Pere Riba has a score to settle against former protege Gauff. However, it was Riba’s decision to step away from coaching the young American, so there is no ill feeling there. In terms of this match, we can expect a lot of rallies between two of the fittest women on tour. The third seed is still not playing to her potential despite surviving a scare against Paula Badosa. By contrast, Zheng has her game activated and has the edge here.
Prediction: Zheng in 3
Victoria Azarenka vs Danielle Collins
Head-to-head: Azarenka 1-1 Collins
It’s Azarenka’s counterpunching against Collins’ raw power in this one. You take your pick. Both are now veterans in the game but looking sharper than ever. Azarenka’s presence at this stage of the tournament is a total surprise. She’s narrowly escaped a pair of three-set matches and routinely defeated a Top 10 player for the first time in this clay swing. Collins, meanwhile, is looking to end her career on a flourish. Italy is the one place she speaks fondly about because she won her maiden WTA title three years ago. There were rumors she might be retiring after Rome, but that’s not the case. With that said, Collins has been near immaculate since the end of March, and it is tough to disregard the formbook.
Prediction: Collins in 2
Aryna Sabalenka vs Jelena Ostapenko
Head-to-head: Sabalenka 2-0 Ostapenko
From agony to ecstasy. That’s Sabalenka’s story in this year’s clay swing. Two weeks ago, she squandered three match points in the Madrid final as Swiatek snatched the title from her grasp. On Monday night, it was her turn to save three match points and defeat Elina Svitolina at the Italian Open. Jelena Ostapenko was also another woman who lived to fight another day in Rome. The Latvian needed almost three hours to beat the inspired qualifier, Rebecca Sramkova. There won’t be a shortage of winners and unforced errors in this one as two heavyweights collide. There are concerns that Sabalenka might wake up with a sore hip for this one after taking a lengthy medical timeout in her fourth-round match. A fit and healthy Sabalenka would be the favorite, but if that’s not the case, Ostapenko would gladly take her chance for the upset.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
