The last WTA 1000 stop before Roland Garros will be the Italian Open in Rome where this year the event has been expanded to a 96-player field. In this article, we shall delve into the list of favorites, players to watch, and dark horses to win the second WTA 1000 on clay this season.
WTA Italian Open 2023 Betting Tips & Predictions
Women’s Singles: Favorites to Win the 2023 Italian Open
World No. 1 Iga Swiatek is going for a three-peat in the Italian capital. Swiatek romped past the field at the last two editions and could become a three-time champion in the next fortnight after her near-perfect record on clay this year. The last player to win three in a row at this tournament was Conchita Martinez 26 years ago.
Swiatek’s only stain in what has been a good start to the clay swing came in Madrid where she lost to her closest challenger Aryna Sabalenka. The Belarusian is widely expected to give the Pole’s real kryptonite in Rome with the two emerging as the frontrunners of the 2023 clay swing.
Swiatek and Sabalenka could set up a third successive final in a row on the dirt after contesting the Stuttgart showpiece and their epic final in Madrid. Head-to-head stands at 1-1 so far, and who could begrudge that matchup from happening at Foro Italico?
- Women’s Singles Winner Prediction: Iga Swiatek
- Women’s Singles Winner Dark Horse Prediction: Aryna Sabalenka
Women’s Singles: Players to Watch at the Italian Open
Ons Jabeur was last year’s finalist, losing to Swiatek in straight sets. But after picking up a calf injury in Stuttgart she is in a race against time to be fit before Roland Garros. If the Tunisian is deemed fit enough to play in Rome, she is a third favorite to the mantle.
Maria Sakkari reached the semifinals of this event back in 2019 as a qualifier. The Greek is a solid baseliner and a wonderful tactician on clay. Her recent semifinal showing in Madrid was a fine response to her Stuttgart no-show. Expect Sakkari to have a decent run in Rome and a long-stretch punt in the outrights.
Jessica Pegula struggled at altitude right from the get-go in Madrid and was dispatched by big-hitting Kudermetova in the quarterfinal. But the American has fared well at the Foro Italico, making the last eight before her meteoric rise back in 2021.
To Win the Tournament: Maria Sakkari
Women’s Singles: Dark Horses to Reach Second Week at Italian Open
Barbora Krejcikova’s modest record in Madrid proved her undoing as she lost to Petra Martic in the round of 16. She’s never been a fan of the altitude, but on the bright side, she was able to win a main draw match in the Caja Magica at last. I expect Krejcikova to polish up her game in Rome, and depending on her draw, is a strong contender to reach the second week, preferably a quarterfinal.
Paula Badosa is 7-3 on clay making at least two quarterfinals. Losing to Sakkari in Madrid is not the end of the world. Her current ranking of No. 42 is not a fair reflection of her performances in the last two months. Badosa will be a perennial threat in Rome and should have a strong chance to reach the second week.
Daria Kasatkina is coming off a round of 16 run in Madrid where she was unfortunate not to make the quarters there, after squandering match points against Kudermetova. Kasatkina has found her mojo on clay with a semifinal showing in the books at the Charleston 500 event. She also reached the semis in Rome last season. Back the 26-year-old to easily make the second week.
- To Win her Quarter: Paula Badosa
- To Win her Quarter: Daria Kasatkina
- To Win the Tournament: Barbora Krejcikova
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