This content was published 10 years ago. It may refer to a past edition of the Internazionali d’Italia.

Serena Williams could be set for a clash with sister Venus in her first match in Rome 2012.  Serena, who made the semi-final last year before withdrawing, has been given a bye in the first round and will face the winner of Venus’ match with Great Britain’s Laura Robson. Serena has a 14-10 head-to-head record against her sister, most recently emerging victorious in Charleston earlier this year in straight sets. The potential tie is the pick of the early stages in the women’s half of the draw. Second seed and defending champion Maria Sharapova will be up against a qualifier in round two as will third seed Victoria Azarenka and last year’s finalist Li Na. Serena could meet Angelique Kerber in the quarter-finals while Sharapova could be up against Italian seventh seed Sara Errani, if the home favourite can make it through to the last eight for the first time. Potential quarter-finals: 
S Williams – Kerber
Radwanska – Li
Kvitova – Azarenka
Errani – Sharapova