Ekaterina Alexandrova 🇷🇺 vs Lin Zhu 🇨🇳

🎾 Ekaterina Alexandrova 🇷🇺 vs Lin Zhu 🇨🇳 – WTA Montreal R2 Preview

📍 National Bank Open · Outdoor Hard · Round of 32

🧠 Form & Context

Ekaterina Alexandrova (WTA #15)

• ✨ On a tear: 30–15 season record, with 7 quarterfinals and a WTA 500 title in Linz.
• 💥 Elite scalper: Nine Top-20 wins in 2025, including over Sabalenka and Pegula.
• 🔙 Montreal return: First main draw since 2019, when she made R3 as a qualifier.
• ⛔ Hard-court dip: Just 5–7 on outdoor hard this year, but trending upward overall.

Lin Zhu (WTA #493)

• 🔄 Comeback path: Missed six months (Jan–June); 12–8 record since returning, mostly on ITF Asian hard courts.
• ✅ Recent highlight: Defeated Varvara Gracheva in R1 for her second tour-level win of 2025.
• 📉 Ranking tumble: From career-high WTA #31 to #493; chasing ranking points in big events.
• 🚫 Top-20 drought: Hasn’t beaten a Top-20 player since October 2023.

🔍 Match Breakdown

• Stylistic clash: Alexandrova brings flat, first-strike aggression; Zhu prefers rhythm and rallies.
• Serve edge: Alexandrova’s powerful delivery (more aces, better 2nd serve hold) is a huge factor on quick hard courts.
• Match readiness: Zhu’s 2025 record is padded by ITF wins—this is a major jump in pace and power.
• Head-to-head: Alexandrova leads 1–0 (2023 Cleveland SF, 7–5, 6–2).

🔮 Prediction

Alexandrova's superior shot tolerance, serve power, and momentum from a strong WTA season make her the clear favorite. Unless inconsistency creeps in, she should dominate short rallies and cover this matchup cleanly.

🧩 Pick: Ekaterina Alexandrova in straight sets
🎯 Bonus Angle: Under 18.5 Total Games has strong potential given the matchup dynamics.