Predicted Winners in BOLD

[3] Garbiñe Muguruza (ESP) vs. Madison Keys (USA) – Keys has played well in this event, and Muguruza has had some mystifying losses since last year’s Wimbledon championship match.  Still, I think clay favors Muguruza, and her greater comfort on clay will likely be the difference in this match.

[1] Serena Williams (USA) vs Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU) – Serena could certainly use a win in Rome to propel her toward a defense of her Roland Garros title.  Serena is looking for her first title in 2016.  I think Serena will take care of business, but if she is error prone, Serena may fall.