Boulter and Pavlyuchenkova Set for Italian Open Showdown

ROME, Italy – Katie Boulter will take on Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the first round of the 2025 WTA Italian Open on May 7. Currently ranked No. 40, Boulter has had a challenging season, dealing with injuries and inconsistent performances. After a second-round exit at the Australian Open, she missed both the Qatar and Dubai tournaments due to a foot injury. Upon her return at Indian Wells, she lost to Elena Rybakina in straight sets. Most recently, Boulter was defeated by Peyton Stearns at the Miami Open and Jasmine Paolini in Madrid, underscoring her struggles.

In contrast, Pavlyuchenkova has shown glimpses of her potential, having reached the quarterfinals in Melbourne. There, she secured wins against Anastasia Potapova and Donna Vekic before falling to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a close three-set match. However, she has since struggled, exiting early in both Miami and Madrid.

The head-to-head between Boulter and Pavlyuchenkova favors the Russian, who leads 1-0 after winning their previous encounter at the 2024 Linz Open. That match was notable for its thrilling tiebreaker, highlighting Pavlyuchenkova’s experience on clay.

Boulter recently celebrated her first clay-court victory at the WTA Madrid Open, defeating Katerina Siniakova. Though still working on her game on the surface, she showed potential. Pavlyuchenkova, with a stronger clay background and three career titles on the surface, holds the upper hand going into this matchup.

The stakes are high for both players, as Boulter aims to build on her recent success while Pavlyuchenkova seeks to regain her form after a disappointing stretch. “I’m going to ask him how to play on clay,” Boulter joked, referencing fellow British player Jack Draper, whose success has inspired her.

According to an analysis by Dimers, Pavlyuchenkova has a 56% chance of winning, while Boulter stands at 44%. The match is set to kick off at 11:55 AM ET, promising a display of determination from both athletes.

The winner will advance to the second round of the Italian Open, where competition is sure to intensify.