Italian Open 2023: Kenin vs. Bucsa Tennis Prediction and Pick

TennisSection previews the 2023 Italian Open first-round match featuring Sofia Kenin vs. Cristina Bucsa on Tuesday, May 9, 2023.

Sofia Kenin vs. Cristina Bucsa Preview

Sofia Kenin will face Spanish clay-court specialist Cristina Bucsa in a tricky opener at the Italian Open in Rome. Who will prevail?

Sofia Kenin is only 9-10 for the season, and still looking a long way off from her career-high ranking of No. 4 from a few years back. Obisouyl the cumulative effects of recurring injuries have dealt Kenin massive setbacks in her quest to return to the top of the game. Let’s see if she can hit her stride at the Italian Open when she faces Cristina Bucsa.

Cristina Bucsa is 4-3 on clay this season, losing the all-Spanish contest against Rebeka Masarova in the first round of Madrid in three sets. Bucsa is sitting at a career-high No. 66, winning 12 matches, although most of those wins came in qualifying draws rather than main draws. But with an expanded field in Rome, she has made the cut of the 96-woman field.

Sofia Kenin vs. Cristina Bucsa Prediction and Pick

Sofia Kenin and Cristina Bucsa have not played each other at the WTA level, with this first-round match at the Italian Open being their first meeting. Clay is Bucsa’s most preferred surface and she’s built her ranking strenuously on the dirt throughout her career. This year she’s beaten Marie Bouzkova on clay, hardly a pushover while looking very competitive in Madrid where she lost in-form Masarova. With the Spaniard at evens here, it’s too hard to ignore the price, especially after Kenin’s ignominious exit in Madrid.