Coco Gauff vs Jasmine Paolini Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Gauff to get off the mark in Riyadh

It wasn't an ideal start to the season-ending championships for both players - Gauff was outlasted in three sets by countrywoman Jessica Pegula, while Paolini was demolished by World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. Those defeats mean this is a must-win encounter for both players if they want to give themselves the best possible chance at advancing into the semi-finals.

It's a tough one to call. Both players were in good form across the Asian hardcourt swing, but their form dipped for their respective opening matches in Riyadh. Paolini was on a three-match winning streak over Gauff this year, but the American reigned supreme in their most-recent clash in Wuhan in straight sets. For Gauff, it's all about cutting out the unforced errors and double faults - this match is on her racquet and if she can find her best tennis, then she should have the edge. Will back Gauff to bounce back and cover as the best bet for this contest.

Currently locked at 3-3. Gauff won the first two meetings before Paolini responded with three straight victories in Stuttgart, Rome and Cincinnati this year. Gauff then equaled the H2H with a 6-4 6-3 victory in the Wuhan semi-finals last month.

Gauff comes into this showdown with a 47-15 record on the season, adding another Grand Slam title to her collection at Roland Garros and remaining in the top three.

It's not been the cleanest season for Gauff, but she found some solid form again on hardcourt to end the year, winning 16 of her 20 matches from Montreal to Wuhan.

The American made the semi-finals of Beijing before claiming her 11th career title in Wuhan, defeating Jessica Pegula in the final.

However, Gauff couldn't repeat that performance in her WTA Finals opener, going down to Pegula 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-2. It was an error-ridden showing from Gauff, who committed 45 unforced errors, 17 double faults and dropped serve nine times.

Paolini has put together a 43-19 record on the season, backing up her brilliant breakout 2024 campaign by staying inside the top 10 in 2025 and qualifying once again for the WTA Finals.

It's been another great year for Paolini, with her highlight coming in Rome when she won the WTA 1000 title in front of her home fans, defeating Gauff in the final.

The Italian ended up winning 18 of her 23 hardcourt matches across the USA and China leading into this tournament, finishing runner-up in Cincinnati and leading Italy to Billie Jean Cup glory, conquering three top 10 players in the process.

Paolini however was no match for Aryna Sabalenka in her opening match in Riyadh, suffering a crushing 6-3 6-1 defeat in 70 minutes.