WTA Rome continues first-round action on Day 2 as former World No. 1 Naomi Osaka gets her campaign underway against Italian Sara Errani. Elsewhere on the grounds, Marta Kostyuk squares off against Alexandra Eala, and Hailey Baptiste matches up with Anna Blinkova. As always, we at LWOT have the preview and prediction for every match on the slate. But who will advance?
WTA Rome Day 2 Predictions
Marta Kostyuk vs Alexandra Eala
Head-to-Head: first meeting
The first career meeting between Marta Kostyuk and Alexandra Eala looks to be one of the better Day 2 matches on the WTA Rome slate. Kostyuk is coming off a quarterfinal run in Madrid, where she lost 6-7 6-7 to eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka. The 22-year-old Ukrainian has seemingly welcomed the switch to the clay season after an up-and-down start to 2025. Eala holds a current career-high ranking of World No. 70 and has shown she has the firepower to battle with the best in the sport. The 19-year-old should test Kostyuk, but I like the older, higher-ranked player to push her way through.
Prediction: Kostyuk in 3
Hailey Baptiste vs Anna Blinkova
Head-to-Head: Baptiste 1-0 Blinkova
Hailey Baptiste did not drop a set in two matches of qualifying at WTA Rome. The 23-year-old American has an all-court game that has found success on both surfaces this year. Anna Blinkova is a tough player to get a read on. She is typically consistent but lacks the high-level firepower to do damage against the world’s best. If Baptiste’s groundstrokes are avoiding the tape, she should find her way into the second round. However, that is a big if.
Prediction: Baptiste in 3
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Naomi Osaka vs Sara Errani
Head-to-Head: Osaka 2-0 Errani
Former World No. 1 Naomi Osaka is coming off her first title in over four years, albeit at a 125-level event in Saint Malo. Although Osaka did not square off against anyone in the top 100 last week, stringing together five wins on clay will do wonders for her confidence. Sara Errani, a former top-five player in her own right, has won only two matches all year. Osaka should cruise by the Italian if she plays like she did in Saint Malo.
Prediction: Osaka in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane – USA TODAY Sports
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