🎾 WTA Rome: Jessica Bouzas Maneiro vs Ann Li – Match Preview
One is a clay specialist finding her groove, the other a hard-hitting American trying to rediscover consistency. This opening-round clash in Rome brings together two players with very different strengths—and some history.
🧠 Form Check
Ann Li hasn’t quite found her rhythm in 2025. Outside of a surprise run to the final in Singapore and a decent showing in Madrid, it’s been a stop-start kind of season. But when she’s locked in from the baseline, Li can hit through almost anyone. That said, her clay form isn’t always reliable—though she did enjoy a strong 2023 swing on the surface, especially at the 125k level.
Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, on the other hand, is back in her element. The Spaniard is a natural on clay, and while her year started slowly, she’s turned things around with quarterfinal runs in Antalya and Rouen. She plays classic Spanish tennis—built on patience, point construction, and grinding down her opponents.
📈 Match Dynamics
The only previous meeting between these two came on clay in Valencia last year, where Ann Li won in three tight sets. That match was a lesson in resilience for both players—and it might just be the blueprint again here.
Li will look to dictate early, take time away from Bouzas Maneiro, and avoid getting stuck in long, physical rallies. If she can serve well and keep her error count low, she has the weapons to win.
But Bouzas Maneiro comes in better prepared on clay. She's been putting in the reps on this surface, and if she can extend points and wear Li down, the tide may slowly turn in her favor.
🔮 Prediction
Expect a close one. This feels like a battle of patience vs power, and in Rome’s slower conditions, that usually favors the grinder.
🎯 Pick: Bouzas Maneiro in 3 sets.
