Italian Open 2022: Emma Raducanu's projected opponents as per the draw
Emma Raducanu is all set to make debut at the Italian Open next week. Raducanu, who is seeded 10th, will be playing in just her third professional claycourt tournament. The draw has awarded very little breathing room for the youngster, who is set to play fellow US Open champion Bianca Andreescu in the first round.
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With main draw matches set to begin on Monday, here is a look at Raducanu's projected opponents as per the draw.
Emma Raducanu's 1st-round opponent - Bianca Andreescu
Raducanu will open her campaign against fellow US Open champion Bianca Andreescu, who made her comeback from injury at the Stuttgart Open earlier this year.
The Canadian, who reached the second round in her first tournament back, has shown flashes of her old form as she already has a top-10 win to her name. Playing in just her fourth match of the year, she beat Danielle Collins 6-1, 6-1 in Madrid. She will be looking to build on her run in the Spanish capital and could pose a huge threat to Raducanu in their first-ever meeting.
Emma Raducanu's 2nd-round opponent - Naomi Osaka / Sara Sorribes Tormo
If Raducanu comes survives her opening-round test, she could face another Grand Slam champion in the shape of Naomi Osaka in the second round.
Under normal circumstances, Osaka would be a heavy favorite to come through her opening match against Sara Sorribes Tormo. However, the Spaniard showed the world her claycourt porwess by ousting the Japanese in straight sets at the Madrid Open and she will be eyeing a repeat of that result.
While Osaka and Raducanu have never faced each other before, the Brit beat Sorribes Tormo in the third round of the 2021 US Open, 6-0, 6-1.
In Rome, Naomi Osaka gets a first round rematch against Sara Sorribes Tormo, who routed her in Madrid.
Winner faces winner of another spicy R1:
Emma Raducanu vs Bianca Andreescu
Emma Raducanu's likely 3rd-round opponent - Anett Kontaveit
Raducanu is projected to meet fifth seed Anett Kontaveit in the third round of the Italian Open. The Estonian, who made a splendid start to the season, is yet to find her footing on clay as she has only played a handful of matches on the surface this season.
Kontaveit beat the likes of Angelique Kerber and Ekaterina Alexandrova in Stuttgart before falling against Aryna Sabalenka. An aggressive baseliner who does not give away too many free points, she will be a tough test for the Brit.
Emma Raducanu's likely quarterfinal opponent - Iga Swiatek
A win in the third round could see Raducanu take on World No. 1 and defending champion Iga Swiatek in a rematch of their Porsche Tennis Grand Prix quarterfinal.
The Pole won that encounter 6-4, 6-4, but was tested by Raducanu. The Brit erased leads in both sets, but lacked the necessary focus and tactical foresight to make Swiatek pay for her slip-ups. She could, however, channel the experience of playing the World No. 1 into a stronger performance in Rome.
Emma Raducanu's likely semifinal opponent - Aryna Sabalenka / Simona Halep / Danielle Collins
Third seed Aryna Sabalenka could be the Brit's semifinal opponent in Rome. The 23-year-old has been a bit of a hit-and-miss this season, but her run to the final in Stuttgart should have given her a much-needed confidence boost.
Simona Halep is also in the top half of the draw. The Romanian is in a tough section, led by Danielle Collins, but has shown promise in the few matches that she has played on the red dirt this year.
Emma Raducanu's likely opponent in the final - Paula Badosa / Maria Sakkari
In the unlikely event that Raducanu reaches the final, she could face off against second seed Paula Badosa. The only time the two players have met before was at the quarterfinals of a W25 event in 2019 at Bolton and the Brit could only manage three games against the second seeded Badosa of the tournament.
The two, however, have come a long way since and fans can expect a blockbuster final. To ensure that, however, Badosa will need to navigate past the likes of Maria Sakkari, Garbine Muguruza and last year's runner-up Karolina Pliskova.
Sakkari and Raducanu played in the semifinals of the US Open last year, with the Brit winning in straight sets. A match-up on clay could favor the Greek player, who is more experienced on the surface.