Three first-round matches to preview from the WTA Italian Open in Rome, and all three are genuinely tight on paper. First meetings across the board, which makes things interesting. Let's get into it.
WTA Italian Open Predictions
Peyton Stearns vs Janice Tjen
Head-to-head: First meeting
Stearns has been a solid clay performer over the past year and her game translates well to slower conditions, comfortable in long rallies and not prone to panic when points drag out. Tjen is ranked just above her at 39 but hasn't done a lot on clay to suggest she's the more dangerous player on this surface specifically.
That said, ranking margins this tight rarely produce clean results, and I think Stearns has to work for it. Close match, three sets.
Prediction: Stearns in 3
Alexandra Eala vs Magdalena Frech
Head-to-head: First meeting
Frech is a decent clay-court player and has had some useful results on the surface, so this is a tough opener for Eala. The Filipino has been making noise since turning pro and her game has genuine pop from the baseline, but Rome on clay is a step up from most of what she's faced so far. Frech is the slight favorite on paper and shouldn't be dismissed.
Still, Eala's been sharp recently and I feel like the big groundstrokes carry her through in a long one, all things considered.
Prediction: Eala in 3
Laura Siegemund vs Sara Bejlek
Head-to-head: First meeting
Bejlek is ranked above Siegemund here and has been the more consistent player of the two recently, while Siegemund has had a frustrating run with form and fitness over the past several months. On clay in Rome, Bejlek's defensive game and patience in rallies should be an asset and Siegemund just hasn't shown enough lately to back her confidently.
Hard to see Siegemund troubling her here. Bejlek wins this in three sets.
Prediction: Bejlek in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
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