Aleksandra Krunic vs Dalma Galfi

WTA Hamburg R1 Preview: Aleksandra Krunic vs Dalma Galfi

🧠 Form & Context

Aleksandra Krunic

• 🧗 Rebuilding after injury: Once ranked as high as No. 39, Krunic has dropped outside the Top 350 but is showing signs of life—especially on clay.
• 🎯 Momentum builder: Came through qualifying with a tough three-set win over Andrea Petkovic, showing resilience and match fitness.
• 🏟️ Veteran presence: With over 700 career matches and a strong doubles background, Krunic brings tactical savvy and defensive grit.
• 🇩🇪 Positive Hamburg history: Reached the R16 in 2022 and seems to enjoy the conditions and surface here.

Dalma Galfi

• 🔥 Breakout clay season: Galfi is 22–7 on clay in 2025, capturing titles in Oeiras and Vic, and reaching three additional finals.
• 🌱 Confidence flowing: Recently took a set off Anisimova at Wimbledon and earned wins at both Roland Garros and SW19.
• 🚑 Fitness watch: Retired from her Bastad quarterfinal just five days ago. It’s not her first mid-match retirement this season, raising some red flags.
• 🧱 Power-based game: At 178 cm, she can hit through the clay but still has limitations when it comes to lateral movement and endurance in drawn-out matches.

🔍 Match Breakdown

Expect a classic clash of styles here. Krunic will do everything she can to disrupt rhythm—slices, drop shots, angles, moonballs, and clever court positioning. She wants this to be a tactical battle, not a ball-striking contest.

Galfi will look to keep points short and aggressive, using her power to take time away from Krunic. If she’s physically 100%, she has the edge in firepower and should control most of the rallies. But her recent injury in Bastad makes things less certain.

If Galfi starts slow, or her movement isn’t sharp, Krunic has the kind of gritty, veteran game that can capitalize—especially on return games. Her serve may be vulnerable, but her return is strong, and she thrives in messy momentum swings.

🔮 Prediction

Galfi enters as the favorite on clay form alone. But Krunic’s tenacity and Galfi’s recent retirement suggest we could get a tight, tricky match.

Prediction: Galfi in 3 sets — but Krunic will make her earn it, especially if any physical doubts resurface.