🎾 WTA Rome: Iga Swiatek vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto

🎾 WTA Rome: Iga Swiatek vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto – Match Preview

🧠 Form & Context

🇵🇱 Iga Swiatek

• Still titleless in 2025: Despite returning to clay, Swiatek has yet to win a tournament this season, with a QF loss in Stuttgart and SF in Madrid.
• Mental grit in Madrid: Battled past Keys, Shnaider, and Eala in three sets—displaying resilience even when below peak form.
• Rome royalty: Owns a 20–1 record at the Italian Open since 2020, including three titles and 10 straight wins without dropping a set.
• Clay-court machine: Her topspin, movement, and shot selection make her arguably the most dominant clay player of her generation.

🇮🇹 Elisabetta Cocciaretto

• Local hope, local win: Beat Avanesyan in R1 with impressive serving in the third set and converted 8 of 15 break points.
• Searching for form: Outside the top 80, she's struggled since mid-2024, failing to win consecutive matches in most events.
• Injury comebacks: Inconsistent performances since returning from physical setbacks—trying to rebuild ranking and rhythm.
• Rome roadblock: Has never reached R3 in Rome and faces a monumental challenge here.

🔍 Match Breakdown

Swiatek isn’t at peak steamroller mode, but her red clay pedigree speaks volumes—especially at Foro Italico, where she dominates early rounds with surgical precision. Her movement, spin-heavy forehand, and court positioning suffocate opponents who can't dictate terms.

Cocciaretto, though scrappy and backed by home support, lacks the power or consistency to truly pressure Swiatek over multiple sets. She might land a few solid games if Swiatek starts slowly, but once the world No. 1 locks in, it's hard to imagine a sustained threat.

🔮 Prediction

Prediction: Swiatek in straight sets. Expect a lopsided scoreboard at some point—likely a 6–0 or 6–1—before she advances to yet another Rome third round.