Rouen 2024: Sloane Stephens vs Yuan Yue preview, head-to-head, prediction, and pick | Open Calfinances
Match Details
Fixture: (6) Sloane Stephens vs (4) Yuan Yue
Date: April 19, 2024
Tournament: Open Calfinances Rouen Metropole 2024
Round: Quarterfinals
Venue: Kindarena Sports Complex in Rouen, France
Category: WTA 250
Surface: Clay
Prize Money: €267,082
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel/TC Plus | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN
Sloane Stephens vs Yuan Yue preview
Sixth seed Sloane Stephens will take on fourth seed Yuan Yue in the quarterfinals of the Open Calfinances Rouen Metropole.
Stephens has made a modest start to the season so far by chalking up 12 wins from 21 matches, including third round appearances in Melbourne, Indian Wells and Charleston. She defeated the likes of Magdalena Frech and Leylah Fernandez at the Charleston Open but couldn't make her mark against Danielle Collins.
The American started her campaign in Rouen with a solid win over Peyton Stearns and then outmuscled Karolina Pliskova in the second round. She defeated the former World No. 1 Pliskova in one hour and 10 minutes, 6-3, 6-2. Stephens is three wins away from clinching her first title this season.
Meanwhile, Yuan Yue has made a solid start to the season by garnering 19 wins from 26 matches, including a title-winning run at the ATX Open and a semifinal appearance at the Hobart International. She also reached the quarterfinals of the BNP Paribas Open where she lost to Coco Gauff in straight sets.
The Chinese player entered Rouen on the back of a second round exit at the Miami Open. She began her campaign by breezing past Mayar Sheriff in the first round and then showed her class against Varvara Gracheva in the second. Yuan outfoxed Gracheva in an absorbing encounter 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(6).
Sloane Stephens vs Yuan Yue head-to-head
Yuan leads the head-to-head against Stephens 1-0. She defeated the American most recently in the Hobart International 2024.
Sloane Stephens vs Yuan Yue odds
Odds will be updated when available.
Sloane Stephens vs Yuan Yue prediction
An exciting contest is on the cards between Sloane Stephens and Yuan Yue in the quarterfinals of the Open Calfinances Rouen Metropole. Both players have looked sharp at the clay court event so far and will be fancying their chances of entering the semifinals.
Despite a trophyless run in the last two years, Stephens has put in the hard yards on the tour. She has a solid record on clay and will be hoping to find her best form ahead of the 2024 French Open. The American relies on her potent serve and likes to construct points from the baseline. She uses her backhand slices to good effect between rallies.
Yuan, on the contrary, has been a dark horse at most of the events on the tour this year. She hasn't been credited enough for her impressive results this season so far. Her technical ability and high tactical acumen have caused problems for a lot of opponents on the tour. The Chinese player likes to play long rallies and force the error from her opposite number.
Ultimately, the player who holds their nerve during crucial moments and makes a strong start in this bout will have the upper hand. While Stephens won her most recent title on clay at the Saint Malo Challenger last year, Yuan is only making her second appearance on the surface (on the main tour). She will present a strong challenge to the American in the quarterfinals but Stephens should be able to use her experience and pass this test in the last eight.
Pick: Stephens to win in three sets.