Victoria Azarenka vs Madison Keys Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Rome

Prediction published on 13/05/2023, 06:48  by Kennedy Kechula | Modified on 13/05/2023 at 07:11 in Tennis Predictions

A battle between two former Italian Open finalists will take place on Saturday when 14th seed Victoria Azarenka faces 19th seeded Madison Keys. This is the third round of this outdoor clay court tournament with the winner facing either 30th seed Anhelina Kalinana or unseeded Sofia Kenin. Azarenka has won four of the previous five encounters against Keys with one of those matches taking place on clay at Roland Garros in 2021. The 33-year-old will fancy her chances again here despite her struggles with consistency so far this year. Azarenka has won 13 and lost nine of the 22 matches that she has played. Before this tournament, Azarenka had only played two clay court events this year, winning just one match. It's gone better in Rome with a straight sets win over Sloane Stephens and is 17th in the live rankings.. 

Madison Keys is two places below Azarenka in the live ranking after her straight sets win over qualifier Magdalena Frech. Keys is also a former finalist here back in 2016. The American has however never managed to go past the third round since then. Keys has also had an up-and-down season but is faring much better than Azarenka, especially on clay. The American has won four of the five matches she has played on the surface with three of those wins coming in Charleston where she made it to the quarterfinals.