Varvara Gracheva vs Coco Gauff Prediction: Coco Gauff can't lose

An overview, analysis and prediction for the upcoming match between Varvara Gracheva and Coco Gauff in the US Open Round of 128, on 26th August 2024.

It's been a quiet season for Varvara Gracheva. She really hasn't made her mark on the big tournaments, often going out in the early rounds. Gracheva does show that she struggles against players ranked well above her, especially with regard to the power and athleticism of Gauff, from her recent performances, including the losses to Gauff earlier in the year.

Gracheva will therefore have to keep rallies going and use those small windows when Gauff is not sharp in her focus, something that has already been an issue in a number of her recent matches.

Coco Gauff comes into this match as the defending champion of the US Open, while her form, coming into this year's tournament, has been quite shaky. Following a quite strong 2023 season that saw her top the world No. 2 ranking and notch several titles to her name, Gauff has found it difficult lately. She bowed out early at Wimbledon and the hardcourt lead-in tournaments, where she fell in the second round at Toronto and in her Cincinnati opener. The disappointing results notwithstanding, Gauff on hard courts retains much of her threat, certainly when under the lights of the US Open, where she does capitalize on the home support. She will look to boss Gracheva around the court with her superior movement and strong groundstrokes, taking advantage of the Russian's less consistent shot-making when pressure is put on her.

She is the overwhelming favorite to win this match, considering her form, head-to-head dominance, and that Gauff holds much better tactical weapons. Gracheva might create problems if she could get the rallies long and make Gauff hit unforced errors. Still, Gauff has the added incentive of defending her title and more home crowd support to make sure that she goes through comfortably to the next round.

• Under 18.5 Games at 1.61 Odds
• Under 17.5 Games at 1.95 Odds
• First Set Over 8.5 Games at 1.83 Odds