Coco Gauff vs Maria Sakkari Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Finals

Prediction published on 23/02/2022, 12:23  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 24/02/2022 at 07:01 in Tennis Predictions

14th seeded Cori Gauff takes on sixth seed Maria Sakkari in the Qatar Total Open quarter finals. The American was as high as 16th in the world in January but was down to 23rd before the start of this tournament. Her run to the quarter finals in Doha has her up to 19th in the live rankings. Gauff has already reached one semi-final this year. That was in the second Adelaide tournament but no top 40 players were beaten in that event. In the Australian Open, Gauff suffered a disappointing first round loss to Qiang Wang who is ranked outside the top 100. Last week in Dubai, she lost to fellow American Jessica Pegula in her first match, failing to win a set. This week has seen a return to form with three wins in straight sets, including beating third seeded Paula Badosa in the third round.

Maria Sakkari is the world number six and is continuing her good form after reaching the final in St Petersburg on February 13. That was her third tournament of the year, reaching the last 16 of the other two in Adelaide and the Australian Open. The latter saw her beaten by Jessica Pegula but revenge was earned in the third round of this tournament, beating the ninth seed in straight sets. Before that, Sakkari had defeated Anna Li, again without losing a set. The pair have had three previous meetings with Sakkari winning two of them. The one win for Gauff was on clay in Rome last year. Sakkari has been in the stronger form this year and can get the win to set up a semi-final against either top seeded Aryna Sabalenka or Iga Swiatek.