A quick visit and then off it goes!

Anastasia Zakharova played one of the most chaotic matches of the tournament yesterday, saving five match points against Yastremska in a completely crazy third-set tiebreak, coming back from 1–6 down in the deciding set to snatch the win 51% to 49% in total points. This is not the profile of a player who is going to follow that up with a win against Linda Noskova. The world No. 81 Russian benefited from 9 opponent double faults and a 48% first-serve percentage from Yastremska, gifts that the 20-year-old Czech will not give her.

Linda Noskova, a right-hander ranked WTA No. 30, is a player who took a step forward in 2025 and comes to Rome with a solid 2026 clay record and a serve that can do serious damage on any surface. Her power off the ground and her ability to shorten rallies are exactly what’s needed to avoid giving Zakharova the time to reproduce yesterday’s miracles.