After a few big names missing out on the Korea Open to rest and recover for the end-season tournament, Emma Raducanu is all set to begin her campaign against the American tennis star Peyton Stearns in the opening round. After a dismal R1 exit at the US Open, the Briton is looking forward to making amends in Korea. Stearns, who has already claimed the Morocco Open this season, is looking forward to adding another title after a moderate run at the US Open.

Could the Korea Open provide Emma Raducanu the edge she has been looking for throughout the season? Or would Stearns make a swift way into the next round?

Emma Raducanu vs Peyton Stearns: Preview

After struggling to make her mark on the circuit this season, Emma Raducanu turned the tables during the Grass Swing. She claimed her first victory over a top-10 player in years, defeating Jessica Pegula at the Rothesay International. Raducanu carried that momentum into Wimbledon, reaching the fourth round of the Grand Slam. However, she couldn’t replicate the same success at the US Open, where she won her first Grand Slam title in 2021. Could she brush aside the American challenge once again?

Raducanu’s opponent, Stearns, has had a moderate year. Ranked World No. 48, she made some progress by claiming the Morocco Open this season but has yet to secure another title. Her Grand Slam performances have been less impressive, with early-round exits in all four majors. Stearns will be eager to get back on the winning track. But have the two players faced each other in their tennis careers up to this point?

Emma Raducanu vs Stearns: Head-to-Head

Yes, the two players clashed at the DC Open, after both skipped the Paris Olympics, although Stearns didn’t qualify for the quadrennial event. At the DC Open, the Briton and the American engaged in a heated battle during the first set. Raducanu dug deep to win the tiebreaker before cruising through the second set, 6-2. This rivalry makes their second meeting at the Korea Open even more intriguing. Ultimately, the player who can best perform on the hard court will determine the winner.

Prediction: Stearns to win in three sets

Well, what better way to assess the odds than by looking at their results during the hard court swing, including the recently concluded US Open, Cincinnati Open, and other tournaments they played? While both players suffered early exits, Raducanu struggled to gain momentum, whereas Stearns managed to get through the initial rounds. So, who will come out on top: the baseline strategist, Raducanu, or the free-swinging American?

However, when it comes to the play style. The two players boast quite different gameplay. While Raducanu makes use of her baseline techniques combined with an aggressive style of game, hitting the ball early helps her get through her opponent. However, Stearns, the 2022 NCAA champion, has a booming forehand, to counter Raducanu’s aggressive game. And her recent exploits at the US Open would certainly help her gain an edge over the Briton.

The fact that Raducanu claimed her first Grand Slam on hard courts at the US Open certainly works in her favor. However, in recent times, the Briton has battled through surgery and performed her best during the Grass Swing. On the other hand, Stearns has been more consistent throughout the tour. She made it to the third round of the US Open, while Raducanu suffered a first-round exit. Stearns’ experience at Flushing Meadows could certainly give her an edge in Seoul.