World #1 versus world #2; French Open champion versus Australian Open champion; a rematch of the Madrid final. The most fitting conclusion to what has been an exciting WTA 1000 in Rome. Iga Swiatek versus Aryna Sabalenka promises more fireworks but who’ll come out on top? We’re here at LWOT to predict this 11th meeting between the two superstars.
WTA Rome Final Prediction
Iga Swiatek vs Aryna Sabalenka
Head-to-head: Swiatek 7-3 Sabalenka
Aryna Sabalenka has proven to be a fitting match for Iga Swiatek. The Belarusian has won three of their ten meetings, a respectable number against the world #1 and came ever so close in Madrid only a couple of weeks ago. She has beaten her on her favorite surface and will be threatening to do so again with her huge serve and baseline game.
Madrid is a different kettle of fish to Rome and Paris, however. Sabalenka is able to threaten Swiatek when the conditions deprive the Pole of time on the ball. With the conditions far slower in the Italian capital, Swiatek will have plenty of time to set up every clinical strike. It doesn’t really matter who’s on the other side of the net in these conditions actually–Swiatek’s won her last 26 completed matches in Rome and the French Open. She’s dropped two sets in those 26 matches.
Iga Swiatek is laughably good at this tournament. We can’t predict any other outcome.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Main Photo Credit: Taya Gray/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK
