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Remind me next time

It is not often you get two Grand Slam winners doing battle in the first round of a major but that is the scenario at the Australian Open with British teenage sensation Emma Raducanu locking horns with fiery American Sloane Stephens.

Raducanu sprung a 400-1 surprise when ending Britain’s 44-year wait for a women’s Grand Slam singles title at the US Open in September. 

The 19-year-old star was appearing in just her second Grand Slam event and she won all ten of her New York assignments - which included three qualifiers - in straight sets.

However, Raducanu has been unable to emulate those heroics since and faces a tough test against Stephens, who won the US Open in 2017 and was runner-up in the French equivalent a year later.

Sloane Stephens vs Emma Raducanu Betting Odds

odds

Raducanu has the most recent form in the book and is narrowly preferred by the layers at 4/5, with Stephens available at 1/1.

The Brit, who is the 17th seed, is 7/4 to win in straight sets and 3/1 to come through an epic three-set battle.

Stephens is 9/4 for a 2-0 win, while it is 15/4 that she advances in a final-set decider.

Sloane Stephens vs Emma Raducanu H2H

Given Raducanu’s tender years and lack of experience, it should come as no surprise that this will be the first competitive meeting between these two players.

However, Raducanu has won all three of her previous games against players, like Stephens, that have been or are ranked in the world’s top ten. 

Sloane Stephens vs Emma Raducanu Where to Watch on TV

The Australian Open is available to watch live on Eurosport and Eurosport player and matches will also be streamed live on respected bookmakers sites.

Sloane Stephens vs Emma Raducanu Prediction

Sloane Stephens to win - BET NOW

Since claiming her breakthrough success at the US Open, Raducanu has found life on the WTA Tour tough and her preparations for the Melbourne major have been far from perfect.

Raducanu has lost four of her six starts since claiming victory at Flushing Meadows and a reproduction of her only appearance this year would surely see her blown away.

The world number 18 was thrashed 6-0 6-1 by Elena Rybakina in just 55 minutes in the opening round of the WTA Sydney, which suggested her supporters shouldn’t expect too much of her at Melbourne Park.

There is a lot of pressure on the shoulders of the youngster and she needs time to realise her achievements, while a recent bout of Covid-19 has meant recent practice has been down to a minimum.

This, therefore, looks a good opportunity for Stephens, who hinted on a few occasions last season that she may be slowly coming back to her best.

The American, who is a two-time Grand Slam finalist as well as an Australian Open semi-finalist, is a big game player and she recorded wins over compatriots Madison Keys and Cori Gauff at last year’s US Open.

Sloane Stephens to win 2-0 - BET NOW

odds

Given the way Raducanu folded in her recent defeat to Rybakina, a small chance should be taken of Stephens to wrap this one up quickly.

The British teenager also lost four of her last six games and she has also suffered straight-set defeats to world number 77 Aliaksandra Sasnovich and world number 50 Marta Kostyuk during that period.

Stephens gets herself up for the big occasion and can show she is far better than her world ranking of 68 implies. The American was the world number three as recently as July 2018 and is still only 28 years of age, so has time on her side.

Marcos Giron vs Rafael Nadal Betting Tips

1. Sloane Stephens to win - BET NOW

2. Sloane Stephens to win 2-0 - BET NOW

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Stephens vs Raducanu Betting Tips