Maria Sakkari vs Lilli Tagger Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Tagger to cover in Rome main draw debut

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: Wed 06 May 2026 01:15

Andrew Hendrie 06 May 2026

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Maria Sakkari vs Lilli Tagger predictions for Wednesday's WTA Rome R1 match
Sakkari in poor form on a four-match losing streak without winning a single set
Tagger has made two quarter-finals this clay swing & is backed with a +3.5 start
The match is scheduled to start around 11.00pm AEST on Wednesday May 6

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Lilli Tagger (Photo by Getty Images)

Maria Sakkari vs Lilli Tagger Tips, Prediction & Live Stream

Former World No. 3 Maria Sakkari remains in a form slump as she prepares to face rising star Lilli Tagger in the first round of the Italian Open in Rome on Wednesday.

Maria Sakkari vs Lilli Tagger Tips, Prediction & Live Stream
Sakkari vs Tagger Stats & Trends
Sakkari vs Tagger Head To Head
Maria Sakkari Form Analysis
Lilli Tagger Form Analysis
Sakkari vs Tagger Live Stream

Sakkari actually beat Tagger in straight sets at Indian Wells earlier this season, but the Greek hasn't won a match since, arriving in Rome on a four-match losing run, failing to win a single set during this period.

Tagger meanwhile has put together a decent clay swing, making the quarter-finals of two tournaments - although she finds herself rather fortunate to be making her Italian Open main draw debut after losing in qualifying but gaining a lucky loser entry.

The 18-year-old has excellent clay pedigree - she won the junior French Open title in 2025 and is coached by former Roland Garros champion Francesca Schiavone. I think this is a good opportunity for Tagger, with Sakkari clearly struggling.

The Greek hasn't won a set since March and also lost a recent match in straights to the half-retired Paula Badosa, which isn't a good sign at all. Tagger has two matches under her belt already in Rome and I'm backing her to cover with a +3.5 start.

Sakkari vs Tagger Stats & Trends

Sakkari has lost her last four matches
Sakkari hasn't won a single set since March 4
Tagger has won 16 of her last 23 matches at all levels
Tagger has an 8-7 record at tour-level this season
Tagger is 2-0 in WTA 1000 first round matches in her career

Sakkari vs Tagger Head To Head

Sakkari leads 1-0, finishing strongly in a straight sets victory at Indian Wells earlier this year.

Year	Tournament	Surface	Round	Winner	Score
2026	Indian Wells Open	Hard	Round of 64	Maria Sakkari	7–5, 6–0

Maria Sakkari Form Analysis

2026 Record: 8-8
WTA Rome Record: 17-8
Current Ranking: No. 47
Career-High Ranking: No. 3 (2022)

Sakkari remains well below her best after a tough last few years on tour.

A shoulder injury contributed to a slide down the rankings, but after an initial bright return to form at the start of 2026, things have gone downhill again.

The Greek beat Iga Swiatek and Jasmine Paolini on her way to the Doha semi-finals in February, but has only won one match since.

Indeed, Sakkari beat Tagger to make the second round of Indian Wells, but has suffered first round exits in Miami, Charleston and Madrid, going down to Paula Badosa and Karolina Pliskova in the latter two in straight sets.

Lilli Tagger Form Analysis

2026 Record: 8-7
WTA Rome Record: 0-0
Current Ranking: No. 92
Career-High Ranking: No. 91 (April 2026)

Tagger has enjoyed a fast rise into the world's top 100 and looks set to be a contender at the biggest events in a few years time.

The 18-year-old won the junior French Open title last year and quickly transitioned to the WTA Tour, reaching her first final in Jiujiang at the end of 2025.

The Austrian continues to impress, winning 17 of her last 23 matches coming into this tournament.

Tagger made the quarter-finals in her home event in Linz to kick off her European clay swing, beating the likes of Badosa and Liudmilla Samsonova. The teenager also reached the last eight in Saint Malo last week.

Tagger went down to Alina Korneeva in the final round of Rome qualifying, but has entered the main draw as a lucky loser.