Rome, May 9, 2025 — Rising American tennis star Emma Navarro returns to the court on Friday as she begins her Italian Open campaign in Rome, facing off against Russia’s Kamilla Rakhimova in the Round of 64. Seeded 10th in the tournament, Navarro received a first-round bye, while Rakhimova entered the main draw as a lucky loser after losing in qualifying but securing a spot due to a late withdrawal.
The 23-year-old Navarro heads into this matchup as the clear favorite, carrying momentum from an early-season title win at the Merida Open Akron, where she famously defeated Emiliana Arango in a dominant 6-0, 6-0 final. While her results since have been mixed, including a hard-fought loss to Donna Vekic in Madrid last week, Navarro remains one of the most promising American players on tour. She holds a 15-10 record for the 2025 season and was a semifinalist at the 2024 US Open.
Rakhimova, also 23, earned her way into this match with a strong 6-3, 6-2 win over China’s Wang Xinyu in the first round. She was originally set to face Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova, but the Czech withdrew due to a shoulder injury, opening the door for Rakhimova’s entry. So far this year, the Russian has made modest strides, reaching the Round of 16 in a pair of WTA 125 tournaments.
This will be the first career meeting between Navarro and Rakhimova, with both players eager to reach the Round of 32, where the winner will meet either Clara Tauson or Katie Volynets. Navarro’s game plan will likely include aggressive baseline play and net approaches, particularly down-the-line winners that have become her signature.
Statistically, Navarro holds a clear edge. According to simulations by sports analytics platform Dimers, Navarro has an 85% chance of winning, with an 80% probability of taking the first set. Betting markets back those projections, with odds placing her as the overwhelming favorite at 1/8, compared to 9/2 for Rakhimova.
A deeper look at their career comparisons shows Navarro with two WTA singles titles and a current world ranking of No. 9. Rakhimova, on the other hand, has no WTA singles titles to her name, though she has three doubles trophies and currently sits at World No. 85.
The match is scheduled to begin at 9:20 a.m. ET (6:20 a.m. PT) on Friday at the historic Foro Italico in Rome. All signs point to a strong start for Navarro, who will be aiming to assert her dominance early in what’s expected to be a relatively one-sided contest.
Prediction: Emma Navarro in straight sets. Stay tuned for more live updates from the WTA Italian Open 2025, and follow Emma Navarro’s journey as she looks to make another deep run on clay this season.
