Roland Garros: Sloane Stephens vs Vitalia Diatchenko preview, head-to-head & prediction | French Open 2020
Match details
Fixture: (29) Sloane Stephens vs Vitalia Diatchenko
Date: 29th September 2020
Tournament: Roland Garros 2020
Round: First Round (Round of 128)
Venue: Paris, France
Category: Grand Slam
Surface: Red clay
Prize money: Approx. €38,000,000
Match timing: Approx. 4 pm CEST, 7.30 pm IST
Live telecast: USA - NBC / Tennis Channel | India - Star Sports / Disney+ Hotstar VIP
Also check out: The Complete French Open 2020 Schedule
Sloane Stephens vs Vitalia Diatchenko preview
29th seed Sloane Stephens meet World No. 116 Vitalia Diatchenko in the first round of the French Open 2020 on Tuesday.
Roland Garros happens to be the only Slam other than the US Open where Sloane Stephens has reached the final. In 2018, the American entered the draw as one of the contenders for the title, having tasted success at Flushing Meadows and Miami in the preceding few months. Stephens lived up to those grand expectations in style by reaching the final, before losing in three sets to Simona Halep.
Fast forward to 2020, and Stephens arrives in Paris desperately looking for a revival. In 13 matches this year the 27-year-old has emerged victorious only thrice, which is highly disappointing for someone of her talent.
Winning a couple of matches at the US Open and stretching Serena Williams to three sets had seemed like the start of a resurgence for Stephens. However, the World No. 34 then went back to square one by losing at her next two tournaments in the opening round.
The French Open draw has been kind to Stephens though, as she is slated to open against a player who herself has been struggling the whole year. Vitalia Diatchenko is entering the claycourt Major on a three-match losing streak, and has played no preparatory event on clay.
The Russian hasn't won a single main-draw match on the WTA Tour this year. In that context, Stephens has a great opportunity to get a win on Tuesday, and with it some much-needed confidence.
Sloane Stephens vs Vitalia Diatchenko head-to-head
This will be the first meeting between Sloane Stephens and Vitalia Diatchenko, so the head-to-head currently stands at 0-0.
Diatchenko's career-high ranking has been just No. 71, while Stephens has been as high as No. 3 - which shows the huge difference in the way their respective careers have panned out.
Sloane Stephens vs Vitalia Diatchenko prediction
This will be a battle between two players, both of whom haven't produced anything to write home about this season. The only difference is Sloane Stephens' past accomplishments and her big-match experience, which should come in handy in this face-off.
When on song, Stephens is one of the speediest players on the court with incredible footwork and fantastic defensive skills. If she can keep her unforced errors at bay, this might be a breezy affair for the 27-year-old American.
Prediction: Sloane Stephens to win in straight sets.
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