Emma Navarro, the No. 10 seed, kicks off her campaign at the 2025 Italian Open in Rome this Friday against Russia’s Kamilla Rakhimova. Rakhimova, who originally faced disappointment in the qualifiers, earned her spot in the main draw as a lucky loser after Wang Xinyu withdrew from their match due to injury. In her first round match, Rakhimova showcased her determination by defeating Xinyu with a convincing score of 6-3, 6-2.
Navarro, coming off a win at the Merida Open Akron where she delivered a stunning 6-0, 6-0 performance in the final against Emiliana Arango, is eager to capitalize on her momentum. However, she has faced challenges with a 15-10 record this year, including a loss to Donna Vekic, the silver medalist from the 2024 Paris Olympics, at the Madrid Open.
The upcoming match is notable as it will be both players’ first encounter, with Navarro positioned as the favorite due to her higher ranking and recent achievements. The winner will advance to face either Clara Tauson or Katie Volynets in the Round of 32.
In terms of titles, Navarro has secured two WTA singles titles compared to Rakhimova’s zero, although Rakhimova has made notable appearances in previous tournaments. As Navarro aims for victory, her aggressive playing style could play a pivotal role against her lower-ranked opponent.
The anticipation is high for this match, and fans are hopeful that Navarro can carry her strong performances forward into this prestigious tournament.