A French woman, but not 100%.

Katerina Siniaková arrives in Rome with plenty of rhythm in her legs. The 30-year-old Czech has just won the doubles title in Madrid last week with Townsend, her 36th WTA doubles title, on this same red clay. She knows the Foro Italico like the back of her hand, her movement is among the best on tour, and her tactical reading on clay has been recognized for years. Her WTA clay record over the last 52 weeks is modest in singles, but the continuity of match rhythm brought by doubles is a real advantage that the odds don’t directly factor in.

On the other side of the net, Lois Boisson is one of the most fascinating players on clay when she’s fit to play: Roland‑Garros 2025 semifinalist, wins over Andreeva and Pegula, 10–2 WTA clay record over the last 52 weeks. But that’s not the Boisson who’s showing up in Rome. Six months out, right arm injury, just one match in 2026 against Stearns in Madrid, lost one‑sidedly. She said it herself: it was too early. She’s here without expectations, rebuilding physically, with no match rhythm since September 2025.