Day 2 of WTA action in Rome will see Victoria Azarenka, hoping to better her 2013 runner-up finish, but first she has to get past seasoned clay court player Camila Osorio, who she defeated here three years ago. Several other matches are also lined up, including two first-time meetings in this piece. Who will advance?
WTA Rome Day 2 Predictions
Emma Raducanu vs Maya Joint
Head–to–Head: First Meeting
Emma Raducanu enters the Italian Open with momentum from a strong 2025 season, highlighted by a quarterfinal run at the Miami Open and competitive performances on clay. However, her lack of deep runs in WTA 1000 events and occasional inconsistency against lower-ranked players could be a concern.
Australian qualifier Maya Joint has potential but lacks the experience to consistently challenge top-50 opponents. She showed some resilience in qualifying, but facing a player of Raducanu’s calibre in a WTA 1000 event is a significant step up, and she will struggle against Raducanu’s power and variety. The teenage Aussie may compete early but will fade as Raducanu finds her rhythm.
Prediction: Raducanu in 2
Viktoriya Tomova vs Emiliana Arango
Head–to–Head: First Meeting
This should be a straightforward win for the Bulgarian. Arango won 11 matches earlier in the season, but they were all on hard courts. She’ll certainly show flashes of brilliance, but sustaining that against Tomova’s steady baseline game on this surface will be challenging. The match is likely to be competitive, but I don’t see an upset happening. Tomova is a seasoned player with a solid baseline game, known for her consistency and ability to compete on clay, and she should face a more challenging test in the next round.
Prediction: Tomova in 2
Victoria Azarenka vs Camila Osorio
Head–to–Head: Azarenka 1 vs 0 Osorio
Former World no. 1 Victoria Azarenka has had a challenging 2025 season due to her inconsistent form. She suffered early exits in Dubai, Indian Wells, Miami, and Madrid. However, her previous success in Rome, including a 2013 final and a straight-sets victory over Osorio in 2022, shows her capability on this surface. Azarenka’s backhand remains a weapon, but her mobility and stamina may be tested on Rome’s slow, grinding clay.
Colombian Camila Osorio has shown promise on clay, with a 2025 Bogota title and a 2023 Rome Round of 16 appearance. Her game thrives on clay, where her topspin-heavy groundstrokes, defensive skills, and ability to extend rallies shine.
The prior encounter gives Azarenka a psychological edge, though Osorio’s growth has narrowed the gap. Rome’s red clay is slow and favors players with strong defensive skills and endurance, and it will test Azarenka’s stamina, especially if Osorio drags her into extended rallies.
The Colombian’s ability to absorb pace and counter with spin should frustrate Azarenka, who has shown vulnerability in long matches this season. Expect a competitive match, but Osorio’s comfort on slow clay and recent momentum give her the edge.
Prediction: Osorio in 3
Main Photo Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports