WTA Rome Women`s Singles Tennis Preview

The French Open is on the horizon, and this premier event in the calendar is the last opportunity for female players to tune up before Roland Garros. It is also the last indication of which players are in top form going into the season’s second Grand Slam tournament, after last week’s Mutua Madrid Masters.

Unquestionably, Serena Williams will be the favourite for this tournament. The American played some destructive matches in Spain, and will be looking to pick up yet another clay court title ahead of the French Open. Although clay has always been Williams’ weakest surface, the fact is that if you put her on a tennis court, she is always likely to win, so Williams will be overwhelming favourite here.

Although Williams isn’t playing quite the tennis she did last season, there is still no-one like her in the women’s game. Her immense power and intimidating presence on court wins her a hell of a lot of matches, a cocktail that few can stand up to. Her record against the other so-called top players in the world is so dominant that they must almost be beaten before they get onto court.

Williams has won 13 of the last 15 matches she has played against Azarenka, and at one time won ten in a row. She is on a six match winning streak against Li Na, and has won ten of their last eleven meetings. And Maria Sharapova had the impudence to beat Williams in a Wimbledon final and win two of their first three matches. Williams responded by beating Sharapova fifteen times in a row, a streak which continues to the present day. In ten years, the world’s best paid female athlete has won only four sets against Williams.

So can anyone stop her? Well, the usual suspects will be the favourites. Maria Sharapova struggled in terms of movement in clay for many years, but has improved to such a degree that she managed to win Roland Garros in 2012. This was a massive achievement on a surface which she had never previously meshed with, and another example of her incredible competitiveness. The Russian is much better on faster surfaces, though, and she will always be a relative outsider on clay, even if the bookmakers don’t necessarily agree.

Both Azarenka and Li Na play better tennis on clay than Sharapova, but neither has been in particularly outstanding form this season. Of course, their head-to-head record against Williams doesn’t exactly stand in their favour either. But both will be in Rome and both will fancy their chances.

Meanwhile, Caroline Wozniacki can never be ruled out on any surface due to her sheer competitiveness, despite her rather weak forehand. Ana Ivanovic doesn’t have the court craft of Sharapova, but hits the ball superbly on clay and has won the French Open previously. And Dominika Cibulkova has done well and Roland Garros in the past, and is enjoying the best year of her career.

But Serena Williams will start massive favourite, and for good reason.

Tip: Serena Williams to win

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06/05/2014     © Frixo 2026