Birmingham 2024: Sloane Stephens vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick | Rothesay Classic
Match Details
Fixture: (WC) Sloane Stephens vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto
Date: June 19, 2024
Tournament: Rothesay Classic 2024
Round: Second Round (Round of 16)
Venue: Edgbaston Priory Club, Birmingham, United Kingdom
Category: WTA 250
Surface: Grass
Prize Money: $267,082
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Tennis Channel, BBC TV
Sloane Stephens vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto preview
The second round of the Rothesay Classic 2024 will see the 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens take on Elisabetta Cocciaretto of Italy. Stephens has had a moderate season in 2024 so far. She has bowed out from the Round of 32 or Round of 16 stages in most of the tournaments she has played, including a 3R loss to Anna Kalinskaya at the Australian Open.
However, the one key highlight for Stephens has been her triumph at the Open de Rouen where she defeated Magda Linette in the final to clinch her eighth career title. In 2023, Stephens only played at the Wimbledon during the grass-court season where she lost to Donna Vekic in the second round.
However, at the 2024 Birmingham Classic, Stephens made a good start by getting a routine win over Yue Yuan in straight sets. The former Grand Slam champion looked in fine touch on the grass.
On the other hand, Elisabetta Cocciaretto has had several early-round exits in the first half of this season. However, the Italian player had some decent results in the latter half of the clay season as she made it to the quarter-finals of the Morocco Open, before losing to Kamilla Rakhimova. She also had a decent showing at 2024 Roland Garros, where she reached the 4R, losing to Coco Gauff.
In 2023, Cocciaretto made it to the 3R at Wimbledon, where she lost to Jessica Pegula. However, in 2024 the Italian started the grass season with a bang. In the first round of the Birmingham Classic, she defeated top seed and former Grand Slam champion Jelena Ostapenko in straight sets.
Sloane Stephens vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto head-to-head
The head-to-head between the two players is 1-0 in favor of Stephens. The American won their only encounter in Cincinnati in 2023.
Sloane Stephens vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto odds
(Odds are sourced from BetMGM)
Sloane Stephens vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto prediction
Stephens relies on her baseline prowess to overcome her opponents slowly, rather than going for aggressive winners. Her overall playing style makes her a threat on all surfaces. Even though the American has not won a title on Grass, she reached the quarter-finals of the 2013 Wimbledon, losing to eventual champion Marion Bartoli.
On the other hand, Cocciaretto has been in good form in the last few weeks, leading up to this match. Her win over Ostapenko in the first round proves that on a given day, the Italian can produce an upset.
However, given her experience and pedigree, Stephens should have a slight edge in this match. With Cocciaretto's being in good form too, the Italian might take a set of the American.
Pick- Stephens to win in three sets