After a tournament full of upsets and surprises, the WTA Bad Homburg final is set between Donna Vekic and Diana Shnaider. Both players were unseeded in the draw and each of them only had to face one seeded player en route to the final. While the draws may not have been as difficult as most events, both Vekic and Shnaider have certainly earned their place in the final, losing just two sets combined this week. There will be plenty of hard-hitting tennis that will surely entertain fans before Wimbledon.
WTA Bad Homburg Final Prediction
Donna Vekic vs Diana Shnaider
Head-to-head: First meeting
While Shnaider was a bit of a surprise making the final, those who have followed Vekic will be far from shocked at another good performance on grass. Five of her 13 career finals have come on the surface and she has won 59% of her matches on grass compared to just 52% of matches overall. She is tall and her serve is quite difficult to return with a fast, low bounce. Shnaider will try to fight power with power. She has a strong lefty forehand but plays a baseline-focused game that has seen the most success on clay courts. Vekic will try and keep points short to stay in control to avoid letting Shnaider take advantage with winners.
While Vekic has the surface advantage, both come in on strong form. Neither of them made a deep run on grass before this event and they have each scored strong, confidence-building wins in the early rounds. Vekic will be more comfortable not just on the surface but in finals, having played in 12 previously. Shnaider did manage to take her first WTA title this year in Hua Hin but this will be her first final at the 500 level. The WTA has been so close truly anything can happen and it would be no surprise if Shnaider managed to pull off the upset. However, all signs point to Vekic in this one as she tends to truly excel when playing on the grass.
Prediction: Vekic in 3
Main Photo Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports
