WTA Olympic Games final
Zheng – Vekic: 03.08.2024 15:30 CEST
H2H: 1-1
Qinwen Zheng has won 10 straight matches. Two weeks ago in Palermo, Zheng won the title on clay, defeating Muchova in three tight sets. Here in Paris, Zheng absolutely dominated in the first round, defeating Errani 6-0 6-0. There was not much Errani could have done in that match. In the second round of the tournament, Zheng defeated Rus in straight sets. This time, Zheng made a decent number of unforced errors, but Rus just played a terrible match. In the 1/8-Finals, Zheng had it tough against Navarro. She lost the first set, and was 3-5 down in the second set. Qinwen stayed calm and even saved one match point before getting into the tiebreak. After the second set, it was a one-sided match. In the quarterfinals, Zhang defeated Kerber in three tight sets. In the third deciding set, Zhang was 1-4 down. However, Kerber looked exhausted, and Zheng picked up her level. Qinwen was a better player in the deciding tiebreak and won another tight match. Zheng had never beaten Swiatek in six meetings so far, but ended up winning against her here in Paris. In her semifinal match, Zheng shocked the world number 1 by winning in straight sets. Zhang was 0-4 down, but ended up winning four straight games and winning the set 7-5. So far in his career, Zhang has played six finals, with an even 3-3 record.
Donna Vekic has won five straight matches. After losing a match in the semifinal of the Wimbledon, Donna took some time off to rest and prepare for the Olympic Games. It was the right decision, because Vekic looks great on the court here in Paris. So far in the tournament, Vekic has lost only one set, which was in her quarterfinal match. Other than that, Donna won all of her matches in straight sets. In her first two round matches, Vekic dominated against both Bronzetti and Andreescu. After that, in the 1/8-Finals, Donna upset Coco Gauff in straight sets. It was another great performance from the Croatian star. Vekic played aggressive tennis from the very start, hitting 31 winners in the match. Her quarterfinal match was her biggest challenge so far. It was a roller-coaster match, but Donna stayed calm in the most crucial moments of the match. Vekic was 0-4 down in the deciding tiebreak, when she started playing better and ended up winning the match 10-8 through the deciding set tiebreak. Her semifinal match against Schmiedlova was one-sided. Donna won the first set 6-4, without losing her serve. In the second set, Vekic broke Schmiedlova´s serve right at the beginning of the set, and just kept going. Donna just became the first women Croatian tennis player to win an Olympic medal.
Best Bet to Make
According to the bookies, Vekic is the underdog in this matchup. After securing the Olympic medal, we believe that Donna will play her final match without any pressure. On the other hand, Zheng has spent a lot of time on the court in her previous matches. We believe that Vekic is more rested, and that she will keep this match very tight, and maybe even win today.
That being said, Vekic covering the games handicap is a value bet.
Value bet/ the best odds: Donna Vekic +3.5 games handicap @-112 @FanDuel
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
