Coco Gauff vs Sloane Stephens Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA French Open

Prediction published on 30/05/2022, 11:20  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 30/05/2022 at 12:22 in Tennis Predictions

For the second year in a row Coco Gauff has made it the last eight at Roland Garros. An American player in the semi-finals is guaranteed as her opponent is compatriot Sloane Stephens. It's not even out of the question that we could have an all-American final at Roland Garros, though Iga Swiatek might have something to say about that. This is the only Grand Slam event in which Gauff has reached the quarter finals. Last year saw her lose to eventual champion Barbora Krejcikova. Her clay court form this year hasn't been spectacular but two last 16s were reached before this tournament. It's been smooth progress for the American in this tournament. Wins have come against Rebecca Marino, Alison Van Uytcanck, Kaia Kanepi and 31st seeded Elise Mertens. Gauff is yet to drop a set in this tournament and twice she had won a set without losing a game. This is only her second match against Stephens, the other was on a hard court at last year's US Open with Stephens getting the win.

Gauff began this tournament ranked 23rd in the world and that was 41 places above Stephens.Her opponent reached the final of this tournament four years ago and the last eight in 2019. Her form in recent years has been inconsistent and the former top ten ranked player has slipped down the list. Her run to the last eight here has her up to 46th in the live rankings and she'd be back in the top 30 if beating Gauff. It's not an expected run considering her form on clay this year. Stephens had lost all of her four matches played on the surface, including one to a player ranked outside the top 300. This tournament has seen better form but it's still been a struggle for her. The first two rounds saw her have to come from behind to progress. Since then she's had wins over Diane Parry and 23rd seeded Jil Teichmann. Another tight match looks likely here but Gauff has the better recent form and can get the win to secure a semi-final against either Martina Trevisan or Leylah Fernandez.