Madrid Open 2024: Coco Gauff vs Arantxa Rus preview, head-to-head, prediction, live streaming details

Published at :April 25, 2024 at 5:34 PM

Modified at :April 25, 2024 at 5:34 PM

(Courtesy : Getty Images)

This is first meeting between both players.

Coco Gauff after making the quarterfinals at Stuttgart last week, is all set to make a fourth appearance at the Madrid Open. Her best result at the event was in 2022, reaching the round of 16.

The American is on the verge of a rise to a career-high of No. 2 in the WTA rankings as defending champion Aryna Sabalenka will drop 1000 points this fortnight. After adjusting points won at last year’s Madrid Open, Gauff currently leads Sabalenka 7193 to 6858, a lead of 335 points.

With Gauff and Sabalenka finding themselves in opposite halves of the draw – a clash in the final will also decide the new World No. 2.

Gauff, the third seed will take on Dutchwoman Arantxa Rus in the second round. The American received a first-round bye. Rus got the better of wildcard Brenda Fruhvirtova 7-5, 6-3 at the Caja Magica to book her spot in the second round.

Rus, ranked No. 47, like Gauff, is playing in her fourth Madrid Open. The 33-year-old Rus first played here in 2011, and next time a decade later in 2021. Last season, Rus made the round of 64, falling to Maria Sakkari after coming through two rounds of qualifying and a first-round meeting against Amanda Anisimova.

Coco Gauff vs Arantxa Rus match details

Date: April 25, Thursday

Time: 5:15 PM (IST) – Tentative

Venue: La Caja Majica, Madrid

Coco Gauff vs Arantxa Rus preview

Gauff is coming off a lackluster run at Stuttgart. The 20-year-old was stretched to three sets by compatriot Sachia Vickery, a qualifier at the Germany-based tournament. Gauff took three sets to beat the 134th-ranked Vickery, with the final scoreline reading 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 in the second round. Against Marta Kostyuk, Gauff blew a one-set lead to exit with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-7(6) quarterfinal loss to the Ukrainian.

The World No. 3 and Florida native failed to make an impression on home turf at the Miami Open as well, she lost to Caroline Garcia in three sets in the fourth round.

Arantxa Rus made three quarterfinals this season at Hobart, Romania, and Rouen. In Rouen, she lost to the eventual finalist, Magda Linette. If she edges Gauff in the second round, Rus could go on to face Dayana Yastremska.

Rus rallied from a 4-0 deficit against Brenda Fruhvirtova in the first round. The Dutchwoman broke Fruhvirtova at 2-5 and won five straight games to take the first set. The second set saw Rus go up by a break in the eighth game to wrap up the match 7-5, 6-3, with exactly two hours on the clock.

Head-to-head records

Matches – 0

Coco Gauff – 0

Arantxa Rus – 0

Coco Gauff and Arantxa are headed for their first-ever career meeting in the second round of the ongoing WTA 1000 Madrid Open.

Where and how to watch live streaming and TV broadcast of Coco Gauff vs Arantxa Rus, Madrid Open 2024, second round match in India?

The second round and the first-ever head-to-head clash between Coco Gauff and Arantxa Rus will be available for Indian viewers on the Tennis Channel and WTA TV. Both streaming services will beam all the action from Madrid live into your homes and on your smartphones.

Prediction

Gauff is as far as can be from a purple patch, lacking a major title in her kitty since last year’s US Open. Four of her previous five losses came in three sets, so while Gauff has been able to push her opponents, she has fallen short of converting those opportunities into wins. In two of those four losses, she had claimed the first set but failed to press home the advantage.

Against Rus, the World No. 3 has an opportunity to begin her Madrid campaign on a convincing note. Gauff should use the strongest weapons in her arsenal to good effect – her strong serve that has fetched 98 aces and counting this season, along with her powerful forehand.

Arantxa Rus will seek to counter Gauff’s game with her solid baseline play and left-handed playing style. Rus overcame a gutsy performance from Brenda Fruhvirtova, saving five breakpoints en route to her victory over the 17-year-old from the Czech Republic.

Gauff narrowly leads Rus in service games won in 2024 – 70.3% to 68.5%. Both players have saved a near-identical percentage of breakpoints. Gauff is at 61.2%, while Rus has saved 60.9%. Gauff opens up a lead when it comes to converting breakpoints – 54.9% against 47.1% by Rus.

Both players will be looking to improve their records in the ongoing edition of the Mutua Madrid Open. Gauff should look to double down and take an early lead with shorter rallies, while Rus will look to wear her opponent out with her excellent defensive game and on-court coverage.

Result: Coco Gauff to win in straight sets.

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