Sloane Stephens vs Qiang Wang Prediction & Betting Tips - Parma, Italy, Qualifying

Prediction published on 20/05/2021, 18:13  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 20/05/2021 at 19:14 in Tennis Predictions

These two players have a lot in common. Both Stephens and Wang have been highly ranked and last made it to a WTA Tour final in 2018. One will make it to the final in Parma as they meet in the semi-finals of the Emilia Romagna Open. Sloane Stephens was as high as number three just two years ago, but started this week in 65th place. Her first four tournaments of 2021 saw the American fail to win a match. Wins have eventually come but not against anyone in the top 100. Stephens is a former French Open finalist and the clay court season has seen improvement in her results. The last eight was reached in Charleston and now the semi-final in Parma. Wins have come against Catherine McNally, fourth seeded Daria Kasatkina (in a three setter) and then Italian hope Sara Errani for the loss of only three games.

Sixth seeded Qiang Wang has won both of her previous matches against Stephens. The last match was in 2017 though and they have never previously met on this surface, where Stephens is much better. In fact, before this tournament, Wang's clay court win percentage was only 41% (just 51% less than that of Rafael Nadal), Wang was as high as 12th in the rankings three years ago. That was the year she reached three ATP Main Tour finals in as many months, all in China. This year has been a hugely disappointing one for her with a 4-11 record before this event. She struggled to beat Japan's Misaki Doi in the first round, but then had a win over world 218 Martina Di Guiseppe in the second round. A much better win came in the last eight as she ousted  the second seeded Petra Martic. Wang won the first set on a tie-break, Martic levelled up the scores but the Chinese player won the final set 7-5. Stephens had a much easier win on Thursday and should be fresher for this semi-final, back her to get the win here.