Coco Gauff vs Taylor Townsend Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA French Open

Prediction published on 25/05/2026, 20:32  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 26/05/2026 at 10:50 in Tennis Predictions

Fourth seed Cori Gauff is back to defend her French Open title and starts off with a first-round tie against compatriot Taylor Townsend. This is their first-ever meeting on tour and Townsend’s 15-3 record against top-10 players doesn’t favor her in our prediction.

Gauff was finally able to get her hands on the Suzanne Lenglen trophy last season after years of coming close. The world number four had lost in the 2022 final and suffered semi-final heartache two seasons ago.

Now she seeks to become only the second woman in the last 20 years to win back-to-back titles. Though yet to win a title, Gauff is having a strong season. She has won 24 of 33 matches, finishing as runner-up in Miami and Rome.

Townsend defeated Gauff in their only other encounter, which was on a clay court. This was seven years ago, way before Gauff became the world beater she is now.

Nevertheless, the older American will fancy her chances of extending this 100% record. Townsend, who is herself a clay court specialist with over 100 wins on such surfaces, has compiled a 14-7 record.

She has won four of six clay matches and is coming off a third-round finish in Rome as a qualifier. A finalist in Austin earlier in the year, Townsend starts the week up to 74th in the live ranking.