Aryna Sabalenka is only one match away from the 2024 Italian Open final, but it's a big match against soaring Danielle Collins.
No player has played as impressively as the American has in the last two months. She was on a tear for a few weeks, winning the Miami Open and the Charleston Open before finally losing at the Madrid Open.
She's back to winning ways this week in Rome and looking as good as ever at what will be her final time there. Standing in front of her and another WTA 1000 final is Sabalenka, a player who is still a riddle for her.
The Belarusian has put together an impressive week of tennis herself, but unlike Collins, she did lose a set in one of the matches.
They have played five times so far, and Sabalenka has won all of the matches. It's rare to see a one-sided rivalry in tennis, but for the most part, this is one of them. The most recent match actually happened last week in Madrid, and Sabalenka won it.
It was a tough battle in three sets, but the Belarusian came out on top. This one will be equally tough, but there is a bigger chance that Collins will win this time around.
The conditions are slow, which will neutralize a bit of Sabalenka's power, and that might help Collins. The American generally struggled in this matchup, but she's never played as well as she's playing right now, and that matters.
| Aryna Sabalenka | Danielle Collins | |
| 5 | H2H | 0 |
| 2 | Rank | 15 |
| 26 | Age | 30 |
| 24-6 | 2024 W/L | 32-8 |
| 384-180 | Career W/L | 258-147 |
I've been quite impressed with what I've seen from Collins this week. She's playing incredible tennis. Sabalenka has had a bit more issues, and I just think the American's win is due.
Prediction: Danielle Collins to win in two sets.