🎾 WTA Rome: Aryna Sabalenka vs Anastasia Potapova

🎾 WTA Rome: Aryna Sabalenka vs Anastasia Potapova – Match Preview

🧠 Form & Context

Aryna Sabalenka

• On a tear: World No. 1 is 31–5 in 2025, with finals at the Australian Open, Indian Wells, Miami, and a Madrid title just last week.
• Clay surge: 8–1 record on clay this season and was Rome runner-up in 2024.
• Tactical growth: Has found the balance between her signature power and added clay-court patience and control.

Anastasia Potapova

• Comeback grit: Rallied from 2–6, 0–3 down vs Yastremska, saving match point en route to victory.
• Spotty consistency: Has a WTA title in 2025 but struggles to maintain rhythm at high-tier events.
• Elite matchup woes: 2–12 lifetime vs top-5 players and 0–2 vs reigning No. 1s.

🔍 Match Breakdown

Sabalenka’s booming serve, improved movement, and increasingly reliable forehand redirection give her control on slower courts. Potapova can be dangerous when confident, but she tends to falter under pressure from elite power hitters.

The Russian will need to serve at a high percentage and take early initiative to avoid getting pinned behind the baseline. However, Sabalenka’s ability to cut off rallies and strike early puts her firmly in the driver’s seat.

🔮 Prediction

Prediction: Sabalenka in straight sets. Expect one tight set—possibly a tiebreaker—and one more one-sided as the World No. 1 asserts her dominance.