Sloane Stephens vs Peyton Stearns Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Rouen

Prediction published on 14/04/2024, 04:43  by Ian John in Tennis Predictions

Former US Open Champion and French Open finalist Sloane Stephens (6th seed) will continue her clay court season against compatriot Peyton Stearns at the WTA 250 Rouen event in France this week. Stephens has good memories of the country having last won a tournament at the Saint Malo 125 in May last year. Her performances this year have been solid but unspectacular, reaching the Round of 16 just twice in tournaments in 2024 (Austin and Charleston). She ran into an in-form Danielle Collins in Charleston last time out, losing 6-2, 6-2 in the Round of 16, but it was a decent start to the season on clay, with a Round of 32 victory over Leylah Fernandez (the 14th seed) the highlight of her performance.

Her opponent has endured a tough start to her 2024 season winning just three of her 11 matches so far, all of which have been on the hard courts. Stearns had a solid 19-7 record on clay last year, in what was her best season on the WTA tour to date, but she is definitely up against it against a player ranked 40 places higher than her in the world rankings. The American hasn't got beyond the Round of 32 in any tournament this year and has seen her ranking plunge as a result. The reward for the winner of this tie will be a second round match against a Qualifier or Czech ace Karolina Pliskova.