Emma Raducanu vs Coco Gauff Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Australian Open

Prediction published on 16/01/2023, 07:47  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 16/01/2023 at 10:58 in Tennis Predictions

Emma Raducanu made a good start to the Australian Open but now takes on seventh seeded Coco Gauff. Raducanu has had one injury problem after another since her 2021 US Open title win. Losing in the first round of the US Open last year saw her ranking plummet. From being a top ten player, the British player is now ranked 77th but up three places in the live rankings. Raducanu hasn't made it to the third round of a Grand Slam since that title win in New York with three second round defeats. This year has seen her beat Linda Fruhvirtova in the ASB Classic before retiring (again) in her second round match against Viktoria Kuzmova due to an ankle injury. That caused her to have to take a week off but returned for this tournament and beat Tamara Korpatch for the loss of five games.

Coco Gauff also had a straightforward first round win. The American beat Katerina Siniakova, also dropping just five games and avenging a loss to her in the Billie Jean King Cup last year. Gauff is seventh in the world rankings but was as high as fourth last October. In the live rankings, Gauff is sixth after her first round win. Last year was a big one for Gauff who reached her first Grand Slam final but lost to Iga Swiatek in the French Open title decider. The 18-year-old also reached the quarter finals of the US Open and made the final in the women's doubles at Roland Garros. Her Australian Open record does need some improvement. Her best performance was the fourth round in 2020 but the past two years have seen her win just one match. Gauff's 2023 has got off to a great start as she won the Auckland Classic, though no top 60 ranked players were beaten. This is her first match against Raducanu and it's one she can win.