WTA Rome: Marta Kostyuk vs Daria Kasatkina

WTA Rome: Marta Kostyuk vs Daria Kasatkina

🧠 Form & Context

Daria Kasatkina
Now playing under the Australian flag, Kasatkina is still searching for momentum in 2025. She's failed to win back-to-back matches since February, though she enters with a strong Rome track record—7 first-round wins and a semifinal run in 2022. Her crafty, topspin-heavy game is well-suited to clay, but her recent lack of consistency and low confidence remain concerns.

Marta Kostyuk
The Ukrainian opened her Rome campaign in emphatic fashion, dispatching Alexandra Eala 6-0, 6-1. She’s been a standout performer at WTA 1000s this year, with deep runs in Madrid, Doha, and Indian Wells. However, Rome has historically been a tricky venue—just two wins in four previous appearances. Still, her explosive baseline game and recent form suggest she’s trending upward.

🔍 Match Breakdown

This is a classic contrast of styles: Kasatkina’s defensive variety vs Kostyuk’s first-strike aggression. The Russian leads their head-to-head, but Kostyuk’s ability to take time away from her with early ball striking could flip the script—especially on a slow surface where high bounce rewards deep backhands and heavy returns.

Kostyuk’s recent results suggest she's more match-tough and confident than Kasatkina. However, if Daria manages to extend rallies and drag the match into her rhythm, she can use her clay-craft and drop-shot variety to unsettle the Ukrainian. This could become a momentum battle, where confidence in execution will be key.

🔮 Prediction

Prediction: Kostyuk in 3 sets. Expect long rallies and psychological swings, but the Ukrainian’s superior form and aggressive mindset should ultimately tip the scales.