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Amanda Anisimova vs Jelena Ostapenko Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Tough test for Anisimova after injury setback

andrew-hendrie
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Last updated: Thu 07 May 2026 01:32

World No. 6 Amanda Anisimova faces Jelena Ostapenko in her comeback match at the Italian Open, following a wrist injury and a six-week absence. Ostapenko, who has a strong 17-10 record in Rome and recently produced a dominant performance, is tipped as the favorite, especially given Anisimova’s lack of match play on clay this season and pressure to defend ranking points. The head-to-head is tied 1-1, but current form points to Ostapenko as the likely winner. Fans can catch the match live via streaming platforms such as Unibet.

Andrew Hendrie 07 May 2026
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  • Amanda Anisimova vs Jelena Ostapenko predictions for Thursday's WTA Rome R2
  • Anisimova playing her first match since a wrist injury sustained six weeks ago
  • Ostapenko rises to the occasion vs the elite, aiming for her 28th top 10 scalp
  • The match is scheduled to start around 12.00am AEST on Friday May 8
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Jelena Ostapenko
Jelena Ostapenko (Photo by Getty Images)


Amanda Anisimova vs Jelena Ostapenko Tips, Prediction & Live Stream


World No. 6 Amanda Anisimova plays her first match since Miami when she comes up against former Roland Garros champion Jelena Ostapenko in the second round of the Italian Open in Rome on Thursday.

Anisimova makes her European clay swing debut for the season with an extremely tough assignment against a player who remains capable of beating anyone on her day. It will be interesting to see how Anisimova performs for a couple of reasons - most notably as she returns for her first match since mid-March after a wrist injury, while she's also under some pressure to secure ranking points, with the American defending a truckload of points during the second half of the year.

Meanwhile, Ostapenko thrives against the elite and will be targeting a 28th top 10 scalp here. The Latvian loves Rome - she's won more matches at the tournament than any other clay event (17), while she dropped just one game in a 6-0 6-1 demolition of Lucrezia Stefanini in her opening match.

Safe to say Ostapenko is in the mood and she needs no second invitation when it comes to facing top 10 opponents. Just a very tough opening match for Anisimova after injury and playing for the first time on clay this year. I'm backing Ostapenko in for the upset.
  • Ostapenko has a 17-10 record in Rome, making four quarter-finals
  • Ostapenko has won six of her last nine matches vs top 10 players
  • Anisimova has lost her last three matches in Rome
  • Anisimova has three of her last four R64 matches on clay

Anisimova vs Ostapenko Head To Head

Currently level at 1-1, with both matches coming in Doha.

YearTournamentSurfaceRoundWinnerScore
2025Qatar OpenHardFinalAmanda Anisimova6–4, 6–3
2022Qatar OpenHardRound of 32Jelena Ostapenko6–3, 4–6, 6–4

Amanda Anisimova Form Analysis

  • 2026 Record: 11-6
  • WTA Rome Record: 6-6
  • Current Ranking: No. 6
  • Career-High Ranking: No. 3 (Jan 2026)

Anisimova went to another level in the second half of 2025, making major finals at Wimbledon and the US Open, along with the semi-finals of the year-end championships.

However, the American hasn't really been able to maintain that level so far in 2026. A quarter-final at the Australian Open and semi-final run in Dubai were okay, but Anisimova went on to suffer R16 exits during the Sunshine Swing at Indian Wells and Miami.

To make matters worse, Anisimova picked up a wrist injury in Miami and has been sidelined for the last six weeks, delaying her start to the clay swing and disrupting her French Open preparations.

Anisimova hasn't won a match in Rome since reaching the quarter-finals in 2022, suffering a straight sets opening round exit to Veronika Kudermetova last year.

Jelena Ostapenko Form Analysis

  • 2026 Record: 12-11
  • WTA Rome Record: 17-10
  • Current Ranking: No. 36
  • Career-High Ranking: No. 5 (2018)

It seems like an eternity since Ostapenko stunned the world by winning the 2017 French Open title before hitting her career-high ranking of No. 5 the following year.

Ostapenko remains one of the most erratic, flashy and unpredictable players on tour - she's capable of beating and losing to anyone on any given day.

The Latvian's best result in 2026 was a semi-final run in Doha, while she also beat Jasmine Paolini on her way to the R16 in Miami.

It hasn't been a great clay swing so far, with Ostapenko going 3-3 across Linz, Stuttgart, Madrid and now Rome. The 28-year-old went out in the second round of Madrid to Anastasia Potapova, but has responded strongly in Rome, demolishing Lucrezia Stefanini  6-0 6-1 in just 54 minutes.

Anisimova vs Ostapenko Live Stream

Watch and bet on Amanda Anisimova vs Jelena Ostapenko live tennis from Rome.

You can watch and bet on the match live at Unibet > Tennis > WTA Rome with the action available to stream on desktop and mobile.

Geo-restrictions apply, you'll need a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours to gain access. 18+ terms and conditions apply.

Verdict

Difficult assignment for Anisimova in her return from injury - backing Ostapenko for a 28th top 10 victory.

Best Bet1: Ostapenko Win H2H $2.10 at dabble - 2 Units
Ostapenko Win
H2H
$2.10 - 2 Units
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