🧠 Form & Context
Sun Lulu
🌊 A crafty left-hander who thrives on wide serves and forehand combinations—perfect for grass patterns.
📈 Found her footing again with a hard-fought win over Kasatkina, ending a dip on clay and hard courts.
🎯 Owns a 21–12 career record on grass, showing reliable form on slick surfaces—has two wins already this swing.
🔙 Won the only H2H meeting: 6-4, 7-6 in Seoul back in 2022.
Anna Blinkova
🧱 Solid and resilient from the baseline—her flat backhand and early contact suit grass conditions well.
🔥 Entering with confidence: 3–2 this swing with quality wins over Bouzkova and Siniakova.
🎢 A mixed bag in 2025 (20–16 overall), but has shown she can close matches under pressure.
🧠 Showed composure in key moments—saved 4 break points late vs Bouzkova to secure R1 win.
🔍 Match Breakdown
This matchup will swing on tempo and execution. Sun’s wide lefty serve will immediately test Blinkova’s forehand return stance. If she lands over 65% first serves, the New Zealander can control early patterns with her inside-out forehand.
Blinkova, however, is built for rhythm disruption. She takes the ball early and redirects pace well—especially with her flat backhand down the line, which could stretch Sun from deep forehand corners. If the match turns into longer exchanges, Blinkova has a slight edge in rally consistency and shot tolerance.
Both players are capable of going on mini-streaks—momentum swings should be expected. Whoever handles scoreboard pressure and holds serve in tight spots will likely pull ahead.
🔮 Prediction
Sun’s tools give her upset potential, especially with grass-friendly lefty angles. But Blinkova has more recent experience in deep grass matches and has shown steadier nerves under pressure. A three-set battle feels likely, with the Russian’s composure and variety making the difference late.
Pick: Blinkova in 3 sets — Sun starts strong, but Blinkova adapts and outlasts her.
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