Ana Ivanovic picks between Iga Swiatek & Aryna Sabalenka for Italian Open final rematch after getting duo's Madrid final prediction wrong

Ana Ivanovic has recently predicted Iga Swiatek's victory over Aryna Sabalenka in the final of the 2024 Italian Open. Ivanovic has claimed that Swiatek is on a streak and it would be difficult to stop her, considering her performance in the Madrid Open clash.

From their first meeting in round 1 of the 2021 WTA Finals, Swiatek and Sabalenka have gone on to face each other nine more times during their careers. Throughout their ten meetings, four of them have been in finals.

Prior to her Italian Open final prediction, Ana Ivanovic had also predicted the 2024 Madrid Open final between Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek. She tipped Sabalenka for victory, but it was Swiatek who emerged victorious with scores 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(7).

On Friday, the former World No.1 posted predictions for the Italian Open final between Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka on her Instagram story.

Ivanovic expressed her anticipation for the match and claimed it's going to be an intense battle between the World No. 1 and World No. 2. She, however, gave Swiatek the nod over the Belarusian owing to her fine form and feels that Swiatek is currently unstoppable. Ana Ivanovic wrote:

“And so they meet again - for the 5th time in a final... Can't wait for the @internazionalibnlditalia women's final in Rome tomorrow! It will be another intense and close match, but I think Iga Swiatek is on a streak and won't be stopped from winning after their last meeting in Madrid.”

Ana Ivanovic's Instagram story

At the 2024 Italian Open, Swiatek defeated Bernarda Pera, Yulia Putintseva, Angelique Kerber, Madison Keys, and Coco Gauff before setting up the final against Aryna Sabalenka, who defeated Katie Volynets, Dayana Yastremska, Elina Svitolina, Jeļena Ostapenko, and Danielle Collins.

Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka have faced off four times in WTA finals

Swaitek defeated Sabalenka at the 2024 Madrid Open final

Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka have played against each other in four finals on the WTA Tour, the most recent one being the 2024 Madrid Open final. Their first final was at the 2022 Stuttgart Open, where the Pole defeated Sabalenka 6-2, 6-2.

A year later, they met again in the final of the Stuttgart Open, and Swiatek came out victorious for the second time with scores 6-3, 6-4.

The duo also faced off in the final of the 2023 Madrid Open, where Sabalenka won against Swiatek for the first time in a final, defeating the Pole 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

Having played ten matches against each other, Swiatek currently leads their head-to-head 7-3.