Italian Open: Coco Gauff Handed Arduous Draw as Iga Swiatek Likely Semis Clash Looks Elusive; Paula Badosa and Mirra Andreeva Face in Blockbuster R1

After witnessing some high-voltage clashes in Madrid, it’s time for the tennis world to shift its focus eastwards towards the Italian capital, Rome. The qualifying rounds have already started and they will take place on both Monday, May 6 and Tuesday, May 7. But the main draw action of the 81st edition of the Italian Open will commence on Tuesday, May 7 to May 19, 2024. Talking about action, well wait no further as there is a high possibility of Coco Gauff facing Iga Swiatek in the SF later in this tournament.

The singles main draw features 96 players, including 8 wildcards and 12 qualifiers. There will be 32 seeded players and all of them will receive first-round byes. As per the latest reports coming out of Rome, Coco Gauff might need to outclass the World No. 1 in order to give her a chance of grabbing the title in Italy. Although she will get a bye in her first round, in the next, she may have to face her compatriot, Ashlyn Krueger. Both of them haven’t faced each other earlier on the tour. So, it’ll be interesting to see who wins this battle of the rising stars.

If Gauff manages to overcome this challenge there will be higher chances of her meeting the 28-year-old Czech tennis star, Barbora Krejcikova in the third round. To remind all the fans, Krejcikova is the 2021 French Open champion. So, this match is really going to test the character of the 2022 French Open finalist. Can she hold her nerves against the former number 2?

Well, if yes, then the fans might get the chance to see yet another interesting clash between Coco Gauff and Daria Kasatkina in the fourth round. Kasatkina is a tough opponent and she has already reached two finals of her previous tournaments this year. And, if everything goes right, then the 20-year-old American tennis star, might have to beat Qinwen Zheng to set up a high-octane clash with Iga Swiatek.

Coco Gauff started the season with a bang! She won the ASB Classic earlier this year and then made two QFs and two SFs runs in her next few tournaments. But to reach the finals, she could possibly have to climb the Polish heights who is entering into this tournament after a title triumph in Madrid. Iga Swiatek currently leads the H2H with a clear-cut 9-1 margin against Coco Gauff. But Coco Gauff will have a little more hunger to prove herself in front of the world number tennis star.

What are the other interesting clashes that are waiting for us ahead of the 2024 Italian Open?

Coco Gauff will receive a bye in the first round, but fasten your seatbelts for a lip-smacking clash between the Top WTA stars

The 17-year-old Russian tennis star, Mirra Andreeva,  17, will take on the former World No. 2, Paula Badosa in the first round. This will be their first meeting in their career. It will be interesting to see if Badosa can break all the shackles and unveil her dominating game against the teenager. The World No.1, Iga Swiatek and the defending champion Elena Rybakina have been placed on the opposite half of the draw.

Rybakina might face the world number 2, Aryna Sabalenka yet again in the SF of the Italian Open this year. While the Japanese tennis star, Naomi Osaka will take on France’s Clara Burel in her first match. American tennis legend, Chris Evert (5) has the record of winning the most number of titles in this tournament in women’s singles. Who do you think among these tennis stars has the capability to break her record in the near future?