“I think she is playing better,” Andy Roddick picks Aryna Sabalenka to beat Iga Swiatek in Italian Open final

Iga Swiatek is hoping to become the first woman to win the Madrid Open and Rome Masters since Serena Williams in 2013.

“I think she is playing better,” Andy Roddick picks Aryna Sabalenka to beat Iga Swiatek in Italian Open final

Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek and Andy Roddick (Image via: Imago/X)

The Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek match always supersedes its hype. Following their three-hour, 15-minute encounter at the Madrid Open, they are set to face each other again in Rome after two weeks. However, American legend Andy Roddick believes Sabalenka will walk away with the title this time around.

Both players are in top form ahead of the Rome final. For Swiatek, winning the title will stretch her lead at the top of the WTA ranking, and she will become the first player since Serena Williams in 2013 to win the Madrid Open and Rome. 

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On the other hand, a win for Sabalenka will close the gap between her and Swiatek and earn perfect revenge against the Pole after Madrid’s disappointment.

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Nevertheless, Swiatek leads in their head-to-head 7:3. At the Madrid Open final, both players were in extraordinary form. The Polish tennis professional won the first set, and the Belarusian star won the second set, pushing the match to a decider. Despite saving three match points, she could not stop a relentless Swiatek from winning the match.

The duo will be meeting again in the Rome final in what has been predicted to be a too-narrow match to call a winner, but Andy Roddick has picked his favorite. The American legend believes that the 26-year-old will edge Swiatek because of her new form in Rome.

We are spoiled. The Madrid showdown was incredible. I know Iga won, but I think Sabalenka really showed her best tennis of the week. There's no doubt about Iga's form on clay at the moment, but I think Sabalenka is playing better heading into the final in Rome. We never know how the match is going to go, but I think Sabalenka's form allows him to approach this match with a lot more confidence than the one in Madrid.
Andy Roddick said.

Swiatek and Sabalenka’s match tomorrow will be the first time the WTA Top 2 will face each other in an Italian Open final since its creation in 1975.

Iga Swiatek calm ahead of Italian Open final against Aryna Sabalenka

Iga Swiatek is willing to remain cool ahead of the Italian Open final against Aryna Sabalenka. The Polish star defeated American Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-3 to reach the final of the Rome Masters. The 22-year-old is yet to lose a set in Rome.

Iga Swiatek
Iga Swiatek (Via Imago)
I’m just living my life day by day. I’m. not thinking about statistics or history. I think it’s easier that way. It makes you play more relaxed and more freely.
Iga Swiatek said

The current World No. 1 is a two-time Rome champion and will be hoping to use the tournament experience against the informed Sabalenka when they play tomorrow. She has only lost once in a final against Sabalenka, while she has won four.

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