Saint-Malo 2023: Svitolina vs. Stephens Tennis Prediction and Pick

TennisSection previews the 2023 WTA 125K Saint-Malo semifinal match featuring Elina Svitolina vs. Sloane Stephens on Saturday, May 6, 2023.

Elina Svitolina vs. Sloane Stephens Preview

Two former World No. 3’s are on a collision course at the WTA 125K in Saint-Malo when Elina Svitolina faces Sloane Stephens. Who will prevail?

Elina Svitolina is one win away from reaching her first final since returning from maternity leave. The Ukranian star produced her most assured display of the week in Saint-Malo, beating home favorite Leolia Jeanjean 6-3, 6-1, taking just a measly 52 minutes to complete a total rout.

Sloane Stephens faced a more difficult afternoon in putting away Jessika Ponchet in her quarterfinal at Saint-Malo, taking an hour and 47 minutes, before prevailing 6-2, 2-6, 6-1. Stephens landed 65% first serves, but won just 58% of points. She’ll need to get that figure at least past the 65% mark to have some sustainable success on serve against a decent returner like Svitolina.

Elina Svitolina vs. Sloane Stephens Prediction and Pick

Elina Svitolina and Sloane Stephens are locked at 2-2 in their head-to-head. They last played each other in the championship match of the 2018 WTA Finals, with Svitolina coming away with the win in three sets. Stephens has played in more matches than Svitolina since the start of the 2022 season with the Ukrainian taking a maternity break in that timespan. Svitolina has been steadily working on her fitness since her comeback last month and is getting that match sharpness ahead of the bigger events in the coming weeks. Stephens, however, has had an absurdly easier route to get to the Saint-Malo semifinal (notwithstanding her recent form), and she is the favorite to come through this one.