Analysis of the draw at WTA Rome 2025: Sabalenka and Swiatek, with different luck

Diego Jiménez Rubio | 5 May 2025 | 11.45

Aryna Sabalenka, possible draw in Rome 2025. Photo: gettyimages

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Tennis never stops, and a new major tournament will be played starting this week. The WTA 1000 Roma 2025 already has its draw defined, with particular interest in the path that Aryna Sabalenka will have to face if she wants to conquer the Foro Italico, a place where she has not been able to showcase her best version. Iga Swiatek aims to rediscover her top form.

There are numerous compelling reasons why this WTA 1000 Roma 2025 presents itself in our lives, a key tournament on the road to Roland Garros 2025 where some of the world's best players arrive with tasks to fulfill. This is not the case for Aryna Sabalenka, whose dominance is increasingly evident, holding a confidence that allows her to dream of a title at the Foro Italico. Seeing if Iga Swiatek reacts will also be very interesting.

- Analysis of the draw in the WTA 1000 Roma 2025

1st Quarter

Potential opponents for Aryna Sabalenka: Bye - Yastremska/Potapova - Kenin/Boulter - Kasatkina/Eala/Leylah - Zheng/Rybakina - Gauff/Andreeva - Swiatek

Potential opponents for Qinwen Zheng: Bye - Danilovic/Siniakova - Frech/Azarenka - Rybakina/Vekic - Sabalenka - Gauff/Andreeva - Swiatek

Sabalenka faces a demanding path if she wants to assert her favorite status in a tournament where historically she has not shown her best self. Kenin claimed victory here a few years ago, she starts against a challenging opponent, potential encounters with the dangerous Eala and a tough quarterfinal match. Neither Zheng nor Rybakina are in their top form, yet both have what it takes to perform well here. Having Gauff or Andreeva as potential opponents in the semifinals is also far from comfortable.

2nd Quarter

Potential opponents for Cori Gauff: Bye - Zuchinni/Qualifier - Linette/Bencic - Anisimova/Raducanu/Alexandrova - Andreeva/Navarro - Sabalenka / Swiatek

Potential opponents for Mirra Andreeva: Bye - Tomova/Qualifier - Noskova/Birell - Navarro/Tauson - Gauff - Sabalenka - Swiatek

An unsettling scenario lies ahead for the American player, who must recover physically and mentally from her performance in Madrid to avoid a premature exit. Bencic could pose a tough challenge in the third round, while a very formidable opponent awaits her in the round of 16, although both Anisimova and Raducanu are inconsistent. Meeting Andreeva again in the quarterfinals would be great news for the tournament and a challenge for both, with the Russian facing notable obstacles like Noskova, Navarro, or Tauson along the way.

3rd Quarter

Potential opponents for Jasmine Paolini: Bye - Pedone/Sun - Jabeur/Kvitova - Muchova/Ostapenko - Pegula/Shnaider - Swiatek/Keys - Sabalenka

Potential opponents for Jessica Pegula: Bye - Krueguer/Qualifier - Mertens/Zarazúa - Shnaider/Putintseva - Paolini/Muchova/Ostapenko - Swiatek/Keys - Sabalenka

The American seems to have been favored with a friendly draw, where the major challenges would arrive in the round of 16 against Putintseva or Shnaider, although both are beatable. In the quarterfinals, she could face a Paolini determined to excel on home soil, needing to perform at a stellar level to overcome notable obstacles like Jabeur, Kvitova, Muchova, or Ostapenko.

4th Quarter

Potential opponents for Madison Keys: Bye - Gracheva/Qualifer - Kalinskaya/Stearns - Badosa/Haddad-Maia - Swiatek/Svitolina - Pegula/Paolini - Sabalenka

Potential opponents for Iga Swiatek: Bye - Avanesyan/Cocciaretto - Collins/P. Kudermetova - Svitolina/Samsonova - Keys/Badosa - Pegula/Paolini - Sabalenka

There are no easy matches for Swiatek, who is currently facing serious challenges and aims for a soothing result at the Foro Italico. Having Madison Keys on the horizon brings much unease, with potential tough matches in the second and third rounds, as well as in the round of 16. Svitolina could capitalize on her current confidence for another significant performance, while Badosa stands in Keys' possible path.