By Tony Fairbairn
- Aryna Sabalenka [2] v Jelena Ostapenko [9]
- Alexander Zverev [3] v Taylor Fritz [11]
- Danielle Collins [13] v Victoria Azarenka [24]
- Alejandro Tabilo [29] v Zhizhen Zhang
ROME, ITALY – Aryna Sabalenka and Jelena Ostapenko clash in a heavyweight battle as the quarter-finals continue in Rome.
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Aryna Sabelenka [2] v Jelena Ostapenko [9] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Aryna Sabalenka [2] v Jelena Ostapenko [9] | H2H: Sabalenka leads 2-0 |
| Rome 2024 | Rome, Italy |
| Clay (O) | Prize Money: €99,160 |
| First on Center Court (12:00 BST) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
Another thrilling clay court test for Aryna Sabalenka as the world number two saved three match points against Elina Svitolina in order to reach the last eight. The resilience of Sabalenka is proving unstoppable as her grit is putting her in a good position mentally to compete for big titles on clay. The Australian Open champion has been rejuvenated in the last few weeks after a poor run of form and Sabalenka will aim to continue her momentum into Roland Garros.
A big obstacle awaits Sabalenka in the quarter-finals as she takes on former Roland Garros champion Jelena Ostapenko. The Latvian has had a phenomenal season and is into the last eight of a tournament for the third time this year. Brutal power from the baseline mixed with clean net skills makes Ostapenko a threat for any player in the world and is now looking for the consistency to match the talent. Should Ostapenko manage to be more consistent than a second Grand Slam title may not be far away for the 26 year-old.
Sabalenka will aim to serve consistently as she looks to target the Ostapenko backhand, becoming more efficient inside the baseline. Meanwhile Ostapenko will aim for depth to pin Sabalenka behind the baseline as she looks for angles on the backhand side to open up space on the court. This will be a big-hitting affair which Sabalenka should win if she manages to maintain her serving consistency.
Prediction: Sabalenka in three sets.
Alexander Zverev [3] v Taylor Fritz [11] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Alexander Zverev [3] v Taylor Fritz [11] | H2H: Zverev leads 4-3 |
| Rome 2024 | Rome, Italy |
| Clay (O) | Prize Money: €161,995 |
| Fourth on Center Court (Not before 19:30 BST) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
After a disappointing start to the clay court season, Alexander Zverev seems to found his form in Rome as he is yet to drop a set at the Foro Italico so far. As the ATP tour continues to be more unpredictable with each tournament, Zverev will feel that a good run of wins and he can be considered a contender for the Roland Garros title. Now the former Rome champion will aim to win the title for a second time in Italy and cement his place at the top of the contenders list in Paris.
An in-form Taylor Fritz awaits Zverev in the quarter-finals as the American edged past Grigor Dimitrov in impressive fashion. The world number 13 has used the clay court swing to refine his game and solidify his strengths as he has backed up his semi-final performance from Madrid last week. A string of impressive wins will now give Fritz more belief and confidence as he will aim for a deep run at Roland Garros.
Zverev will aim to be strong defensively as he will use the forehand to extract errors from Fritz’s game. Meanwhile Fritz will look to serve consistently well as he aims to approach the net in order to finish points off efficiently. This will be an entertaining contest with this expected to be decided by small details. In the end Fritz’s confidence should edge him towards the finishing line.
Prediction: Fritz in three sets.
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Danielle Collins [13] v Victoria Azarenka [24] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Danielle Collins [13] v Victoria Azarenka [24] | H2H: Tied at 1-1 |
| Rome 2024 | Rome, Italy |
| Clay (O) | Prize Money: €99,160 |
| Third on Center Court (Not before 18:00 BST) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
Danielle Collins is determined to end her career on a high note as she is into a fifth quarter-final of the season. The American’s free-hitting mixed with effective point construction makes her a problem for any player in the world right now as she aims to put herself in the mix for a deep run at Roland Garros.
Next for Collins will be Victoria Azarenka who has been in good form herself this week playing some efficient tennis. The world number 24 produced a dominant performance against Maria Sakkari to reach the quarter-finals as she proved she shouldn’t be counted out just yet. The 34 year-old will now hope she can go either further in a bid to boost her Roland Garros chances.
Collins will use the forehand to dictate play as she aims to use a variety of paces to throw Azarenka off her game. Meanwhile Azarenka will look to dominate play from the backhand side as she aims to move Collins from side to side. This is a match between two confident players with Azarenka’s recent efficiency on return giving her a slight edge in this match.
Prediction: Azarenka in three sets.
Alejandro Tabilo [29] v Zhizhen Zhang H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Alejandro Tabilo [29] v Zhizhen Zhang | H2H: First Meeting |
| Rome 2024 | Rome, Italy |
| Clay (O) | Prize Money: €161,995 |
| Second on Center Court (Not before 14:00 BST) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
It’s been an unbelievable last few weeks for Alejandro Tabilo who has backed up his Challenger title win in France in sensational style. The Chilean earned the best win of his career in Rome as he knocked out world number one Novak Djokovic and has consolidated that win with a victory over Karen Khachanov. Now with confidence running high, Tabilo is looking to continue his dream run in order to reach his first Masters 1000 semi-final.
Next for Tabilo is Zhizhen Zhang who has had an incredible tournament despite a poor run of form heading into the tournament. The Chinese player has lacked confidence in recent weeks but he has lived up to his potential in Rome, striking the ball cleanly and with pace. This confident level of tennis gives Zhang hope that he can continue to elevate his game at the biggest events in the world.
Tabilo will aim to use slice and variety to extract errors from Zhang as he looks to continue his returning efficiency. On the other side of the net Zhang will aim to use the backhand to force the shorter ball from Tabilo as Zhang will aim to be more aggressive as the match goes on. This will be a nervy contest with a big opportunity awaiting both players but Tabilo’s consistency should see him into the last four.
Prediction: Tabilo in straight sets.
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