Coco Gauff is on an active 15-match winning streak, and she'll put that to the test against an in-form Maria Sakkari at the 2023 China Open in Beijing.
Maria Sakkari had an absolutely dreadful start to the year with many disappointing results. She's looking far better recently with some solid performances in Asia after winning the biggest trophy of her career in Guadalajara recently.
That win is pivotal for her career and is the cause of this recent resurgence, but it will be really tough against Gauff, considering her play in recent weeks. It's not wrong to call Coco Gauff the best player on the WTA Tour right now. She's not number one; Sabalenka is, but the American is 21-1 in recent weeks, and one of those wins actually came against Maria Sakkari.
Head-to-head:
It was the Citi Open final, which Gauff won easily in two sets, and it's really hard to imagine this match going differently. The Greek player does lead the H2H on the WTA Tour so far 4-2, but their lone match this year was won by Gauff, and she's arguably an even better player compared to that match.
Sakkari is playing on a higher level right now as well, but she's going to struggle against Gauff simply because so many players do.
Prediction:
The conditions in Beijing do favour both players but differently. It gives Sakkari plenty of time to set up her baseline play while giving Gauff ample time to defend almost anything that comes flying her way. The confidence that she's showing under pressure is likely the crucial thing.
She hasn't played that great this week, but she problem-solved in all her matches. Even if Sakkari brings the power, the American is likely to solve the riddle, and that's why she's the play here. I expect her to win rather comfortably.
Prediction: Coco Gauff to win in two sets.
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