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Match details
Fixture: (10) Emma Raducanu vs (PR) Bianca Andreescu.
Tournament: Italian Open 2022.
Round: First round (Round of 64).
Venue: Rome, Italy.
Category: WTA 1000.
Surface: Clay.
Prize money: $2,527,250.
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime Video.
Emma Raducanu vs Bianca Andreescu preview
US Open champions Emma Raducanu and Bianca Andreescu will face off in a blockbuster first-round showdown at the Italian Open.
Raducanu has done rather well in her first few tournaments on clay. At the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, she scored wins over Storm Sanders and Tamara Korpatsch before losing to World No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals.
Raducanu next competed at the Madrid Open. Up against Tereza Martincova in the first round, she saved a set point before clinching the opening set and winning the match 7-6(3), 6-0. She then defeated Marta Kostyuk 6-2, 6-1. The teenager lost in the third round to Anhelina Kalinina, who had earlier defeated Sloane Stephens and Garbine Muguruza.
Raducanu is now gearing up for her debut at the Italian Open.
After her title 2021 Indian Wells title defense came to an end in the third round in October, Bianca Andreescu didn't compete for almost six months. She returned to the tour in April, making her comeback at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix.
Andreescu made a winning comeback by defeating Jule Niemeier in straight sets. She then lost to Aryna Sabalenka in three sets in the second round. At the Madrid Open, the Canadian was tested by Alison Riske in the first round, but prevailed in three sets.
Andreescu handed 2022 Australian Open runner-up Danielle Collins a 6-1, 6-1 beatdown in the second round. Against Jessica Pegula in the third round, she led 5-3 in the first set, but lost the match 7-5. 6-1. The 2019 US Open champion is set to compete in Rome for the first time this year.
Emma Raducanu vs Bianca Andreescu head-to-head
This will be the first encounter between the two, so the head-to-head stands at 0-0.
Emma Raducanu vs Bianca Andreescu odds
All odds are courtesy of BetMGM.
Emma Raducanu vs Bianca Andreescu prediction
Both players are making their debuts in Rome, so it's going to end on a sour note for one of them. Raducanu is in better shape from a physical standpoint and has more wins on clay this year than Andreescu, so she'll have a slight edge heading into this encounter.
Neither is playing at the level that won them a Grand Slam title, but it's only a matter of time before they find their best form. Raducanu has been quick to adapt to clay. She's moving well and timing her shots.
The Brit's serve has also been firing on all cylinders over the past couple of weeks. She'll need to serve consistently to have an edge against the Canadian. Andreescu possesses much more variety than the teenager and her mix of slices, drop shots and even moonballs can catch the Brit off guard.
This could be a closely contested contest and we expect Raducanu to squeak past the Canadian and progress to the second round.
Pick: Emma Raducanu to win in three sets.
