Italian Open 2023: Cocciaretto vs. Davis Prediction and Pick

TennisSection previews the 2023 Italian Open first-round match featuring Elisabetta Cocciaretto vs. Lauren Davis on Wednesday, May 10, 2023.

Elisabetta Cocciaretto vs. Lauren Davis Preview

Can Elisabetta Cocciaretto get the ball rolling at the 2023 Italian Open when she opens up against American Lauren Davis?

The Italian Open is the one tournament for Italian players that is sure not to miss. For Elisabetta Cocciaretto, this year feels different, unlike the last four main draw appearances. It’s the first time she hasn’t needed a wild card to enter her home tournament which speaks of the massive improvement she’s had on her game and ranking in the past 12 months. Let’s see if she can fulfill her dream of winning a match in front of what should be an electric atmosphere in Rome.

Lauren Davis has already beaten Elisabetta Cocciaretto this year and will be keen to stop the Italian in her tracks. Davis will assume the role of pantomime villain at the Italian Open coming up against the home favorite who is sitting at the dizzying heights of a top 50. Davis herself is not far off from re-entering the top 50 and an upset on Wednesday could be a start to help her get there.

Elisabetta Cocciaretto vs. Lauren Davis Prediction and Pick

Elisabetta Cocciaretto and Lauren Davis are tied at 1-1 in their head-to-head. Both matches were on hard, with Cocciaretto winning in Guadalajara in 2021 and Davis getting revenge in the finals of Hobart earlier this season. Cocciaretto didn’t play her best tennis in that final in Tasmania, especially in that second set, but on clay, she’ll prove a handful for the American. And the Italian Open is the perfect setting to get that elusive main draw win at the fifth attempt.