Iga Swiatek vs Elena Rybakina Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Rome

Prediction published on 16/05/2023, 13:14  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 17/05/2023 at 07:50 in Tennis Predictions

Top seeded Iga Swiatek is attempting to win a third successive Italian Open. The last eight sees her take on seventh seeded Elena Rybakina in this outdoor clay court tournament. The world number six actually leads Swiatek 2-1 in previous meetings and both wins came this year. A win in the Australian Open was followed by success at Indian Wells. Both wins came in straight sets but this is their first meeting on clay. Rybakina has only won one WTA Tour clay court event and that was four years ago. In 2021 the last eight at Roland Garros was reached but her overall clay record is inferior to that of her opponent. On clay this year, Rybakina only won one match in Stuttgart and Madrid so will welcome this run in Rome. No sets have been lost in her three matches, though only only lasted seven games.

Iga Swiatek has won two tournaments this year. The Pole hasn't been as dominant as last year and has lost five matches this year, two to Rybakina. After winning in Doha, her only other title has been on clay in the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. Two finals have been lost this year but the 21-year-old still has a very healthy lead in the world rankings. In the Live WTA Race, Swiatek is third behind Sabalenka and Rybakina. Reaching the final can see her go above her opponent in this match. The top seed has been in great form in this tournament with only two games lost in her first couple of matches. That included three sets won without conceding a game. It was slighly tougher in round four with seven games lost to 21st seeded Donna Vekic. We go for Swiatek to win this in straight sets. A side bet on over 17.5 games looks a winner too.