2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens is just one victory away from winning her first title in two years at the WTA Rouen Open. Magda Linette is her opponent in the final, and she has been seeking her first WTA title since February 2020. As always, we at LWOT give our prediction and analysis for the final. But which player do you think will reign supreme in Rouen?
WTA Rouen Final Prediction
Sloane Stephens vs Magda Linette
Head-to-Head: Stephens 3-0 Linette
Both players have only dropped one set to reach this stage. Stephens lost the first set in her opening match against Peyton Stearns before winning eight consecutive sets against Stearns, Karolina Pliskova, Yuan Yue, and Caroline Garcia. Linette defeated Elsa Jacquemot, Natalija Stefanovic, and Arantxa Rus. The Pole then needed three sets to overcome Anhelina Kalinina in the semifinal.
Stephens has won the pair’s three previous matches, but all of these were on hard courts. However, this makes their first clay court meeting even more ominous for Linette. The American has played her best tennis on the dirt in recent years, while Linette’s best tennis usually comes on hard courts. That is demonstrated by this being the Pole’s first WTA final on clay.
Linette will need to try to disrupt Stephens’ rhythm to have a chance. The 2018 French Open runner-up will find angles all over the court with the heavy topspin she plays with, and then pick her moments to strike if Linette tries to outlast her in rallies. Last year’s Australian Open semifinalist will need to go for the lines more and throw in the occasional drop shot to try and keep Stephens off balance. But Linette should avoid trying to rush the net regularly since Stephens possesses one of the best passing shots in the game on clay.
Linette is a fighter, and it would be unwise to rule her out completely. Overall though, it is hard not to back Stephens. She has gotten better with every match at WTA Rouen, and at her best, she is the superior clay court player.
Prediction: Stephens in 2
Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran – USA TODAY Sports
