???? Roland Garros, R1 Preview
?? (7) Sloane Stephens vs. ?? Misaki Doi
2018 runner-up Sloane Stephens starts her 2019 Roland Garros campaign against Japan’s Misaki Doi. Stephens arrives in Paris in mediocre form but that is frequently the case for Sloane heading into a major, she certainly has the ability to flick the switch and play her best when it matters, plus Paris has been her most consistent major over the years. Stephens looms as one of the main contenders.
Stephens did receive a confidence boost in a semi-final showing at the Mutua Madrid Open earlier this month. Stephens beat a couple of quality opponents on route to the final 4 before succumbing to the eventual champion Kiki Bertens in straight sets. Most recently Stephens suffered an opening round loss to Johanna Konta in Rome. Stephens has won more matches in Paris than any other Grand Slam, a runner-up last year, the goal for Stephens will be to go one step further in 2019.
Misaki Doi’s record in Paris is not so good. Doi has only ever won the 1 main draw match at Roland Garros from 6 appearances. The odds are stacked against Doi who brings poor from into the event. Doi has not won a match on clay this year and arrives in Paris fresh from an opening round loss in Nuremburg last week at the hands of Tamara Zidansek. Winning is something Doi has really struggled to do over the last few years.
This will be the first career meeting between Stephens and Doi, will the result be as one-sided as the odds suggest?
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