Stearns vs. Boisson: A Madrid Open showdown of form and comeback grit
Fixture: Peyton Stearns vs Lois Boisson Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2026 Tournament: Madrid Open 2026 Round: First Round Category: WTA 1000 Surface: Outdoor clay Venue: Caja Magica, Madrid, Spain Prize Money: €8,235,540 (approximately $9.7 million) Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN
Peyton Stearns vs Lois Boisson preview
Peyton Stearns, currently ranked World No. 43 in the WTA Tour's singles rankings, enters the 2026 Madrid Open on the back of a second-round finish at the Charleston Open, where she was downed by compatriot McCartney Kessler in three sets.
Overall, Stearns has a 12-9 win-loss record ahead of the high-profile WTA 1000 clay event in the Spanish capital. Prior to Charleston, the 24-year-old reached the second round in Miami. Her best result so far this year came at the ATX Open, where she won her second career singles title.
Meanwhile, Lois Boisson, the World No. 43, has been absent from the tour for seven months with injury and is slated to return to competitive action in Madrid. The 22-year-old Frenchwoman, who shot to fame with her semifinal finish at Roland Garros last year and a subsequent title triumph in Hamburg, recently reflected on the hardships she faced during her time out, telling AFP:
"The last few months have been very difficult -- the most difficult since I started playing tennis. I didn't handle them very well mentally, let's say."
She also brought up 'medical mistakes' that delayed her comeback, adding:
"There were quite a few mistakes on the medical side. Each time, I was given timings that weren't realistic. That's also why there were so many false starts."
Stearns and Boisson's upcoming first-round clash at the 2026 Madrid Open is set to mark their maiden competitive meeting.
Peyton Stearns vs Lois Boisson odds
Player Name Moneyline Handicap Bets Total Games Peyton Stearns -275 -3.5 (-145) Over 21.5 (-110) Lois Boisson +210 +3.5 (+100) Under 21.5 (-135)
(Odds via BetMGM)
Peyton Stearns vs Lois Boisson prediction
Stearns is the favorite against Boisson. While the American has struggled for consistency in early 2026, she has a history of success in Madrid, having reached the fourth round last year.
Boisson, returning from her lengthy medical layoff, is a dangerous clay-court specialist who proved her credentials on the surface with her Roland Garros semifinal finish last year followed by her Hamburg title. Expect a high-intensity baseline battle, with Stearns' experience at the WTA 1000 level likely to prove telling.
Pick: Stearns to win in three sets.
Peyton Stearns vs Lois Boisson betting tips
Tip 1: For those wary of an outright upset, the 'Games Handicap' market is recommended as a way to back Boisson with more safety, allowing the bet to win even if she loses a close match.
Tip 2: 'Set Betting', 2-1 in Stearns' favor, is likely to provide more value than a straight moneyline bet.
