Tennis Pick: Coco Gauff -4 Games (-127) at Bookmaker (visit our Bookmaker Review)
The second round of the Australian Open is here and the draw has given us a fantastic matchup. Emma Raducanu takes on Coco Gauff. This will be a battle between the biggest star in America and the biggest star in Great Britain.
When these excellent young players take the court, which country will get the bragging rights, and which player will be the winning tennis pick?
American fans of tennis looking to make some bets on the AO can do it at any of these top US betting sites.
Emma Raducanu vs. Coco Gauff
Wednesday, January 18, 2023 – 03:00 AM EST at Rod Laver Arena
Emma Raducanu
Emma Raducanu burst onto the scene in 2021 by winning the US Open. Raducanu became the first player that had to qualify for the tournament to lift the trophy. This was a complete surprise and thrust the young British player firmly into the spotlight.
She struggled in the year after her win and did not have the best season in 2022. The increase of media scrutiny around her as well as the added pressure from the relentless British media took its toll. Raducanu is a talented young player but the expectations thrust upon her might have been too much for a player who was still developing the skills necessary to be competitive on the WTA tour.
Raducanu has become quite popular and has amassed plenty of endorsements, but now it is time for her to focus on her game. Unfortunately, Raducanu was forced to retire in the Auckland indoor tournament that she used to warm up for this event. She suffered a left ankle injury.
The British player did not look 100% healthy in her opening round match against Tamara Korpatsch, yet she still scored a 6-3 6-2 win. Still, Raducanu will need to be at her best if she wants to take on the tough challenge she has today.
Emma Raducanu has not been particularly successful after her Grand Slam win. Since winning the US Open she has only won back-to-back matches a total of six times. Three of those back-to-back wins came at WTA 250s. Now she will attempt to have a back-to-back win on one of the tennis world's biggest stages.
Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff struggled to end her 2022 season. She lost 5 matches in a row to end her year. As she has done during every off-season, (let's be honest; tennis doesn't have much of an off-season. It's about 6 weeks, but still, it's an off-season) she went to work to improve her game.
Gauff is a consummate professional already and she is completely dedicated to the sport of tennis. You do not find her using her newfound fame to celebrate and party or post vacation photos around the world. Gauff is focused on one goal, improving her game and excelling at the sport of tennis.
After ending the 2022 season in sour fashion, Coco Gauff started 2023 with a bang. She comes into this match on a six-match winning streak. She won the title in Auckland to warm up for this tournament. She did not drop a set in Auckland and looked absolutely dominant. She carried that momentum into the Australian Open and defeated Katerina Siniakova 6-1, 6-4 in her first-round match.
Coco Gauff comes into this match playing well. Her superior athleticism has already made her one of the best defensive players in the world. She has improved her serve to the point where it is a major weapon, especially her first serve.
Gauff has problems with double faults, but she is aggressive. When her second serve lands, it usually puts her in the position to win the point; rather than just hitting a lollipop serve that can be easily returned for a winner by her opponent. Coco Gauff is consistently meeting expectations in every tournament she enters. She has made at least the quarterfinals in eight of her last 10 events.
Who Will Win?
Coco Gauff and Emma Raducanu have never played each other. However, Raducanu has lost both times she has faced a player in the top 10. In fact, she has not won a set in either of those matches.
Emma Raducanu is an exciting young talent, but Coco Gauff is just as talented and is playing in her best form. Gauff has a more stable coaching environment which allows her to continue to grow her game. Also, because American tennis players are not nearly as popular in their country as British tennis players are, Coco Gauff has avoided the media scrutiny and spotlight that constantly surrounds Raducanu.
After looking over the WTA odds, I'm sure Coco Gauff will get the easy victory today. Emma Raducanu comes into this match not healthy and her skills don't match up with the young American who is poised to make a move and try to become the number one player in the world.
In a battle of two stars, Gauff will show that she is much more ready to take the throne of the tennis world. Our best bets today are Coco Gauff -4 games and Coco Gauff to win the first set 6-2.
Tennis Pick: Coco Gauff -4 Games (-127) at Bookmaker
Tennis Pick: Coco Gauff to Win the First Set 6-2 (+550) at Bovada (visit our Bovada Review)
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
