Best Tennis Reviews: 06/09/25

Monday, June 9, 2025

🇺🇸 Mackenzie McDonald vs 🇮🇹 Mattia Bellucci

🎾 ATP Hertogenbosch – First Round

🇺🇸 Mackenzie McDonald vs 🇮🇹 Mattia Bellucci

🧠 Form & Context

Mackenzie McDonald

📉 Unsettled year: 18–13 in 2025, but plagued by inconsistency and early exits since February.
✅ Grass warm-up: Qualified and won his Q-R1 match here, showing solid form over Boogaard and Peniston.
🇳🇱 Dutch comfort: Quarterfinalist in Hertogenbosch 2023, R16 in 2024 — has a decent history on these courts.
🆚 Recent losses: Crashed out early at French Open and struggled to find rhythm in clay swing.
📉 Lost to Bellucci in 2024 (Washington, 1R) in straight sets — a point to prove here.

Mattia Bellucci

🟠 Mixed momentum: 11–18 in 2025, but many of his wins came at Challenger level.
📉 Grass discomfort: 0–1 on grass this year, and has minimal success historically on the surface (just 3 career wins).
👎 Early exits: Lost 6 of his last 7 matches on tour, including first rounds at Roland Garros and Birmingham Challenger.
🟢 Upset potential: Holds a 1-0 H2H over McDonald — beat him in Washington last year (7–6, 7–5).

🔍 Match Breakdown

McDonald is the more experienced player on grass, with a better record, more time on tour, and historically good runs in Hertogenbosch. His clean ball-striking and compact groundstrokes translate well to fast courts, and he's already adjusted by playing two qualifying matches here.

Bellucci, while talented and gritty, has struggled to adapt his game to grass. His flat shots can be effective in quick conditions, but he lacks the natural movement and confidence on this surface. He’s also coming off a run of disappointing results.

This rematch is McDonald's to lose, especially with revenge on his mind after last year’s upset loss. If he stays solid on serve and plays aggressively on return, his grass-court edge should prove decisive.

🔮 Prediction

McDonald has looked better this week, is more comfortable on grass, and seems determined to steady his season. Bellucci’s recent form and surface discomfort suggest an uphill battle.

🧩 Pick: McDonald to win in straight sets – Expect a focused performance and a bounce-back win over a struggling opponent.
🎯 Bonus leans:

Set betting: McDonald 2–0
Over/Under: Under 21.5 games
Handicap: McDonald -4.5 games

🎾 Grass Season Begins – 9 June 2025 Review & Outlook

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We're officially on grass 🌱

📌 Key Angles:

✔️ Big servers dominate
✔️ Rust alert for returnees (Muchova, Kvitova)
✔️ Early-week upsets looming

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🇨🇿 Karolina Muchova vs 🇦🇺 Maddison Inglis

🎾 WTA London – First Round

🇨🇿 Karolina Muchova vs 🇦🇺 Maddison Inglis

🧠 Form & Context

Karolina Muchova

🩺 Returned from a long wrist injury layoff with a disappointing R1 loss at Roland-Garros to Alycia Parks.
📈 Prior to her break, she had reached the semifinals of Dubai, final of Beijing, and semis of the US Open in the last 12 months.
🌱 Grass is a favorable surface for her variety-heavy style—slice, touch, and offensive net play translate well.
🔧 Still shaking off rust, but her ceiling is Top 10-caliber, especially when facing lower-ranked opponents.

Maddison Inglis

📉 Struggles badly at tour-level events: 0 main draw wins since January 2022 outside Australia.
✅ Went through Queen's Club qualifying with two straight-set wins, but lost to Kimberly Birrell in R1 last week (125k Birmingham).
🎯 Holds just one win against a Top 50 opponent in her career (Leylah Fernandez at 2022 AO).
🌱 Has never won a grass-court main draw match at WTA level (0–2 career WTA grass MD record).

🔍 Match Breakdown

Serve & Return: Muchova holds a considerable advantage in both serve precision and return depth.

Shot Variety: On grass, Muchova’s ability to slice and change direction is a nightmare for one-paced baseliners like Inglis.

Match Fitness: Inglis has played more matches recently, but at ITF level. Muchova’s class should prevail if she finds rhythm early.

🔮 Prediction

Muchova may still be rusty, but Inglis is not equipped to capitalize. The Czech should cruise with minimal resistance if she serves at 60%+ and plays within herself.

✅ Pick: Muchova to win in straight sets
🎯 Bonus leans:

Set betting: Muchova 2–0
Over/Under: Under 18.5 games (if Muchova dominates early)
Handicap: Muchova -5.5 games

WTA Hertogenbosch: Viktoriya Tomova vs Elise Mertens

🧠 Form & Context

🇧🇬 Viktoriya Tomova

📉 Form slump: Just 7 wins in 21 matches this season; still searching for confidence.
🌱 Grass experience: No grass matches in 2025; holds an even 20–20 career record on the surface.
⚠️ Lacking firepower: Struggles against top-50 players and underperforms on faster courts.
🔎 Lower-level progress: Recent QF in Bari offers a small silver lining.

🇧🇪 Elise Mertens

✅ Steady 2025: 21–11 record with big wins over Pegula, Zheng, and Sasnovich.
🌿 Grass pedigree: Grass is her strongest surface, with 9 career QF-or-better results.
🎾 Tournament fit: Experienced Hertogenbosch campaigner—knows how to navigate slick conditions.
📌 Bounce-back spot: Early RG loss sets her up for a motivated grass campaign start.

🔍 Match Breakdown: The calendar flips, the surface changes — and so does the value. Get our edge on Patreon.

👉 Read full preview here

🇷🇺 Roman Safiullin vs 🇫🇷 Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard

🎾 ATP Stuttgart – First Round

🇷🇺 Roman Safiullin vs 🇫🇷 Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard

🧠 Form & Context

Roman Safiullin

🔄 Trying to reset: Just 9 wins in 2025 (9–12 record), with early exits in Madrid, Rome, and Roland-Garros.
🌱 Grass-court experience: 13–9 career record on the surface, but no match wins on grass so far in 2025.
🇩🇪 Stuttgart struggles: Lost in R1 last year and failed to qualify in 2022–23.
🔧 Still a dangerous all-court player when on rhythm, but confidence and momentum are lacking at the moment.

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard

📈 Rising quickly: 21-year-old has climbed into the top 40 with aggressive performances in 2024–25.
🚀 Power game: 6–1 clay record this year, 5–5 on hard, and 1–0 start on grass after win in Hamburg.
💪 Recent scalps: Beat Auger Aliassime and Bublik in Hamburg; strong challenger runs this spring.
📊 12–5 career record on grass is respectable, but Stuttgart main draw history is limited to last year’s R1 loss.

🔍 Match Breakdown

This is a classic contrast of styles. Safiullin has a solid all-round baseline game with decent court craft and smooth transitions. However, he lacks the raw firepower that Mpetshi Perricard brings to fast surfaces like grass.

The young Frenchman’s booming serve and forehand make him a nightmare to face on grass. He hits through the court, and his win over Bublik in Hamburg showcased his improved shot tolerance and poise under pressure.

Safiullin has better variety and is more comfortable rallying, but he’ll struggle to break serve or neutralize Mpetshi Perricard’s rhythm unless he returns exceptionally well. If this becomes a serve-dominated contest, the Frenchman holds the aces.

🔮 Prediction

Mpetshi Perricard's upward trajectory, combined with his recent form and confidence on faster surfaces, makes him the clear favorite. Safiullin is capable of clutch moments, but the matchup doesn’t suit him.

✅ Pick: Mpetshi Perricard to win in straight sets – a few tight moments, but the serve will carry the Frenchman through
🎯 Bonus leans:

Set betting: Mpetshi Perricard 2–0
Over/Under: Under 23.5 games (if tiebreak avoided)
Handicap: Mpetshi Perricard -3.5 games

ATP Hertogenbosch: Jordan Thompson vs Aleksandar Kovacevic

🧠 Form & Context

🇦🇺 Jordan Thompson

🏆 Grass-court strength: 67 career wins on the surface, including a finalist run here in 2023.
⚙️ Reliable in 2025: 7–7 overall this season; already beat Kovacevic this year in Houston.
📍 Tournament comfort: Strong track record at Hertogenbosch—venue suits his flat hitting and quick movement.
💪 Tactical edge: High work rate and aggressive style thrive in low-bounce conditions.

🇺🇸 Aleksandar Kovacevic

🎢 Up-and-down year: 23–15 in 2025, but only 4–9 lifetime on grass.
🔁 Head-to-head: Trails 1–2 vs Thompson; most recently lost a close match in Houston 2024.
📉 Grass struggles: Inexperience and lack of results on faster surfaces hinder confidence.
🧠 Fighting spirit: Can push matches deep but often fades against more seasoned grass players.

🔍 Match Breakdown: The rhythm changes, the winners don’t. Grass season starts here. Full insight on Patreon.

👉 Read full preview here

🇭🇷 Donna Vekic vs 🇷🇺 Anastasia Zakharova

🎾 WTA London – First Round

🇭🇷 Donna Vekic vs 🇷🇺 Anastasia Zakharova

🧠 Form & Context

Donna Vekic

🎢 Ranked inside the top 20, but unpredictable: 7 first-round exits in her last 11 tournaments.
🧱 Grass pedigree: 9 quarterfinal-or-better runs on grass, including 2023 Wimbledon semifinal.
❌ Exited RG in R2 after a lackluster showing against Bernarda Pera.
💣 Big serve, flat groundstrokes, and aggressive court positioning make her well-suited for fast surfaces like grass.

Anastasia Zakharova

🚪 Enters main draw after saving MP vs Carol Zhao in Q3 (6-3, 6-7, 7-6) – her first-ever WTA grass-court main draw.
⚠️ 2025 struggles: Only passed R1 in two tour-level events (Zaragoza title, Paris 125k R2), both on clay.
💪 Strong ITF performer: 3 W100 titles in the last 12 months, but still waiting on WTA-level breakthrough.
🧱 Lacks main-draw tour wins on fast surfaces – 0 wins on grass at any level before this week.

🔍 Match Breakdown

Zakharova did well to qualify and is clearly a fighter, but she’ll be stepping onto a grass-court main draw for the very first time, against one of the most seasoned grass players in the field. While the Russian brings clay-court rhythm and ITF-level confidence, this matchup presents a major leap in pace and power.

Vekic’s serve and forehand can dominate this surface—especially against less experienced movers like Zakharova. However, the Croatian has been unreliable, and her tendency to fade mentally under pressure has cost her several matches to lower-ranked opposition this season.

If Zakharova can make this a scrap and extend rallies, she might draw frustration. But on grass, it's hard to survive without effective serve +1 execution—and that favors Vekic by a mile.

🔮 Prediction

Grass levels the playing field for big hitters, but not for inexperience. Despite Vekic’s inconsistency, this is her surface and her matchup to control. Zakharova may steal a few games but the Croatian should coast through.

✅ Pick: Vekic to win in 2 sets – clean win unless she completely self-destructs
🎯 Bonus leans:

Set betting: Vekic 2–0
Over/Under: Under 20.5 games
Handicap: Vekic -5.5 games

🇬🇧 Jodie Burrage vs 🇺🇸 Amanda Anisimova

🎾 WTA London – First Round

🇬🇧 Jodie Burrage vs 🇺🇸 Amanda Anisimova

🧠 Form & Context

Amanda Anisimova

🔥 Strong clay season: SF in Charleston, QF in Paris 125k, and R4 at Roland-Garros – 8 match wins this clay swing.
🌱 Grass history: Wimbledon QF in 2022 is her standout result, but otherwise limited success (13 total career wins on the surface).
🧍‍♀️ Hasn't played a grass main draw match since 2022 – missed 2023 due to injury and played only qualifiers in 2024.
📈 In good rhythm overall and looking sharp in shot timing and point construction—momentum is on her side.

Jodie Burrage

📉 Winless slump: Has not won back-to-back matches in any of her 15 tournaments in 2025.
🏥 Injury comeback: Missed half of last season; her form hasn’t recovered since despite W100 Dubai title late in 2024.
🇬🇧 Home hope: Historically stronger on British grass (e.g., win over Badosa in Eastbourne 2022), but 2025 has been bleak.
💢 Lost in R2 of 125k Birmingham last week to Linda Fruhvirtova.

🔍 Match Breakdown

Burrage’s aggressive game can be dangerous on grass—when she’s fit and sharp. Unfortunately, her current rhythm doesn’t inspire confidence. Her serve and forehand used to do damage, especially on home soil, but physical inconsistency and confidence have taken a hit.

Anisimova, on the other hand, has returned to the top 20 with a solid clay season and improved shot tolerance. While her grass experience is limited in volume, her clean ball-striking, compact backhand, and strong return game give her the edge here.

She will likely target Burrage’s movement and second serve. Unless the Brit serves extremely well and finds confidence early, this may be a one-sided affair.

🔮 Prediction

Burrage is capable of springing an upset on grass but isn't in the physical or mental shape to do it right now. Anisimova should handle this professionally and efficiently.

✅ Pick: Anisimova to win in 2 sets – controlled, clean, and businesslike performance expected
🎯 Bonus leans:

Set betting: Anisimova 2–0
Over/Under: Under 20.5 games
Handicap: Anisimova -4.5 games

🇨🇿 Katerina Siniakova vs 🇷🇺 Anna Blinkova

🎾 WTA Hertogenbosch – First Round

🇨🇿 Katerina Siniakova vs 🇷🇺 Anna Blinkova

🧠 Form & Context

Katerina Siniakova

⚖️ Mixed 2025 so far: 13–12 record with patchy results, including a tight R1 exit at Roland-Garros to Kasatkina (6–4 in the third).
🎾 Surface-savvy all-rounder: Grass record of 31–24, with titles in both singles and doubles on fast courts.
📉 Early exits at Hertogenbosch in both 2015 and 2016, but enters with solid match rhythm after a competitive clay swing.
💥 Strengths: Effective return game, strong net play, and the ability to absorb pace—tools that suit grass well.

Anna Blinkova

🔄 Slightly better 2025 record (17–14), but similarly inconsistent over the clay season. Lost to Vekic in R1 at RG.
🧱 Respectable grass career mark of 24–24; reached R16 in 2022 at this very event.
🎯 Good depth from the baseline and powerful groundstrokes, but less comfortable when pulled forward or forced to improvise on fast surfaces.
📉 Struggled to close tight matches recently—her 2025 wins have mostly come in straight-set scenarios.

🔍 Match Breakdown

This match features two players with similar 2025 output but stylistically distinct approaches. Siniakova has the finesse and net instincts to thrive on grass, and her doubles pedigree often translates well into sharper angles and better instincts in short exchanges.

Blinkova relies on heavier groundstrokes, and her grass success has mostly come when she’s been able to dictate tempo. However, on this surface, those margins are tighter—especially against someone like Siniakova who thrives on redirecting pace and drawing errors.

Blinkova’s recent struggles against varied players like Vekic and Navarro highlight a vulnerability to unpredictable rhythm, and that’s precisely what Siniakova excels in producing.

🔮 Prediction

While Blinkova may hit more winners, Siniakova’s adaptability, court IQ, and grass-court skillset give her the upper hand. Expect some momentum swings, but the Czech should close it out with smarter shot selection and fewer unforced errors.

✅ Pick: Siniakova to win in 2 tight sets – experience and variety make the difference
🎯 Bonus leans:

Set betting: Siniakova 2–0
Over/Under: Over 20.5 games
Handicap: Siniakova -2.5 games

ATP Stuttgart: Matteo Arnaldi vs Jan-Lennard Struff

🧠 Form & Context

🇮🇹 Matteo Arnaldi

🔥 Solid 2025: 15–13 overall with a balanced surface split (7–6 clay, 6–6 hard, 2–1 indoors).
🌱 Grass question mark: Making his Stuttgart debut, enters with a modest 4–4 career grass record and no matches yet in 2025.
📈 Trending upward: Recently pushed Djokovic in Geneva and beat Auger-Aliassime at Roland-Garros — showing real top-30 strength.
🧱 Aggressive tools: Flat hitting could suit the grass if he finds early rhythm.

🇩🇪 Jan-Lennard Struff

📉 2025 struggles: Just 4–15 this season, with only one ATP main draw win since February.
🌿 Grass specialist: Finalist here in 2023 and a semifinalist in 2019 — Stuttgart is familiar territory.
💣 Surface fit: Big serve and first-strike tennis remain effective weapons on grass despite poor form.
🇩🇪 Home court: Energized by the German crowd, often lifts level on home soil.

🔍 Match Breakdown: Grass is tricky — unless you’re with us. Full breakdown live on Patreon.

👉 Read full preview here

🇷🇺 Daria Kasatkina vs 🇬🇧 Sonay Kartal

🎾 WTA Hertogenbosch – First Round

🇷🇺 Daria Kasatkina vs 🇬🇧 Sonay Kartal

🧠 Form & Context

Daria Kasatkina

🧊 Hit a rough patch between February and May, unable to string back-to-back wins in seven consecutive tournaments.
✅ Showed signs of revival at Roland-Garros, making R4 with wins over Badosa and Siniakova.
👑 Has a strong grass record: Wimbledon QF in 2018 and won Eastbourne in 2024 – thrives with low bounce and variety.
🔄 Seeking her first quarterfinal of 2025 since Adelaide—grass season could be her springboard.

Sonay Kartal

📣 Gained attention with Monastir WTA title in late 2024 and six ITF hard-court titles the same season.
🎯 Reached R4 at Indian Wells 2025 as a lucky loser – only deep run this year.
🇬🇧 Home crowd factor: Beat Cirstea, Burel, and Andreeva at Wimbledon 2024. Grass clearly suits her natural rhythm and flat ball-striking.
🔁 Inconsistent this year, hasn’t won multiple main draw matches at WTA level since March.

🔍 Match Breakdown

Kasatkina's clever, spin-based game with disguised drop shots and changes of pace makes her a threat on grass. Her footwork and anticipation let her cover the court better than most, and her past success on grass is a testament to that.

Kartal will be encouraged by her previous Wimbledon success and is no stranger to these courts, but this is a much tougher matchup than she faced in her 2024 Wimbledon run. She hits a clean ball and has a decent serve, but can be vulnerable when pulled wide or forced into extended rallies—Kasatkina’s specialty.

If the Russian manages to vary the pace and disrupt Kartal’s rhythm early, she should control the flow. However, Kartal does have the firepower and home-crowd support to make this interesting if she starts well.

🔮 Prediction

This is Kasatkina’s match to lose. Kartal may hang in for a while, especially if she serves well, but the Russian’s consistency, shot variety, and grass résumé should prove too much.

✅ Pick: Kasatkina to win in 2 sets – variety and experience too strong for the Brit
🎯 Bonus leans:

Set betting: Kasatkina 2–0
Over/Under: Over 19.5 games (in case Kartal stretches one set)
Handicap: Kasatkina -4.5 games

🇳🇱 Anouck Vrancken Peeters vs 🇳🇿 Lulu Sun

🎾 WTA Hertogenbosch – First Round

🇳🇱 Anouck Vrancken Peeters vs 🇳🇿 Lulu Sun

🧠 Form & Context

Anouck Vrancken Peeters

🧱 Solid ITF season: 30–8 in 2025 with most of her success coming indoors (16–2) and on hard courts (5–0).
🌱 Yet to play on grass this year or in her career at WTA level – completely untested on the surface.
🇳🇱 Local wildcard with nothing to lose: Ranked 519 but arrives with good rhythm after consistent wins in Merzig and Santa Margherita.
⚠️ Stepping into her first WTA main draw of 2025, and the jump in competition level will be significant.

Lulu Sun

📈 Career-best ranking: World No. 45 after a productive start to 2025.
🌿 Grass form still developing: 4–0 in 2025 and 19–10 overall on grass, with strong movement and lefty spin making her tricky on the surface.
🧠 Resilient match player: Has battled through tight wins vs Sawangkaew, Garland, and Mintegi Del Olmo.
💪 Strong baseline game with good grass instinct—reached R2 in Rome and took a set off Paolini.

🔍 Match Breakdown

This is a classic example of a home underdog against a fast-rising WTA player. Vrancken Peeters has been dominant on the ITF circuit, especially indoors, but grass is a completely new challenge. With no prior top-100 wins and no grass record to speak of, her ability to adjust to pace and movement will be severely tested.

Sun, meanwhile, is quietly having a breakthrough season and has been clinical in disposing of lower-ranked players. Her lefty forehand and comfort with changing pace are well-suited for grass. Given her sharp record this season and match toughness, she should be able to dictate from the baseline.

That said, the crowd could lift Vrancken Peeters early—and if she starts free-swinging, she could make this competitive for a while. But Sun’s quality should shine through.

🔮 Prediction

Vrancken Peeters is not without merit—her recent ITF form is great. But this is a steep level jump, and Sun’s lefty game on grass is already producing results. Expect Sun to control tempo and advance comfortably. But maybe her ITF form can get a set.

🇳🇱 Botic van de Zandschulp vs 🇮🇹 Mattia Bellucci

🎾 ATP Hertogenbosch – First Round

🇳🇱 Botic van de Zandschulp vs 🇮🇹 Mattia Bellucci

🧠 Form & Context

Botic van de Zandschulp

🇳🇱 Playing on home soil, but enters in poor form: 10–15 overall in 2025 and a 4-match losing streak coming in.
❌ 0–3 on grass in 2024, and has never gone beyond the 1st round at Hertogenbosch in three main draw appearances.
📉 Struggled across surfaces this season and crashed out in R1 at Roland-Garros vs Emilio Nava.
🔁 Despite talent and weapons, his confidence seems low, and he’s become vulnerable early in matches.

Mattia Bellucci

🧱 Slight edge in form: 11–18 in 2025, but his wins this year include Draper, Martinez, and Herbert.
🌱 Grass is not his strength: just 1–9 career record on the surface, including 0–1 this year (loss to Landaluce).
📈 Comes in with slightly more match rhythm, with deeper runs at Monte Carlo QF and some solid Challenger results.
⚠️ Still inexperienced at ATP level and making his Hertogenbosch debut—needs to adjust to the surface fast.

🔍 Match Breakdown

This is a tricky one to call—not because either player is flying, but because both are searching for answers. Van de Zandschulp has the advantage of playing at home and has more raw power and grass experience, even if results haven’t followed.

Bellucci, on the other hand, brings more momentum in general but historically struggles with fast courts and low bounce. His lefty forehand and counterpunching game may not translate well to grass unless he finds quick depth and good movement on the surface.

Van de Zandschulp’s serve and forehand should do more damage on grass, but his current level is shaky enough to give Bellucci a real chance if the Italian starts strong and keeps the pressure on the Dutchman's second serve.

🔮 Prediction

With both players low on grass confidence, this match likely comes down to margins and execution under pressure. Van de Zandschulp may be struggling, but his slight edge in experience and the home crowd could help tip it.

✅ Pick: Van de Zandschulp to win in 3 sets – expect swings, errors, and crowd factor
🎯 Bonus leans:

Set betting: Van de Zandschulp 2–1
Over/Under: Over 22.5 games
Handicap: Bellucci +2.5 games (hedge option if expecting a close battle)

🇨🇿 Petra Kvitova vs 🇧🇷 Beatriz Haddad Maia

🎾 WTA Hertogenbosch – First Round

🇨🇿 Petra Kvitova vs 🇧🇷 Beatriz Haddad Maia

🧠 Form & Context

Petra Kvitova

👶 Returning from maternity: Struggling to regain form with just 1 win in 6 matches since her comeback.
❌ Recent results: R1 loss to Golubic at Roland-Garros; only win was against Begu in Rome.
👑 Grass royalty: Two-time Wimbledon champion (2011, 2014), with 4 titles on grass since 2016 and Eastbourne SF in her last full season (2023).
🧱 Despite poor form, her lefty serve, flat strikes, and comfort on grass always make her a threat.

Beatriz Haddad Maia

🧊 Inconsistent season: Semifinal in Strasbourg was promising, but quickly followed by a shock R1 loss to Hailey Baptiste at Roland-Garros.
📉 Has lost early in 9 of her 12 events this season, including a 9-match losing streak from AO to Stuttgart.
🌿 Grass revival needed: Her 2022 grass season was superb (three SFs), and she’s reached Wimbledon R3 before.
🔁 Looking to bounce back on a surface that suits her aggressive topspin-heavy lefty game.

🔍 Match Breakdown

This is a fascinating clash of two left-handed players with contrasting momentum and history. On paper, Haddad Maia is better positioned with more recent match fitness and some flashes of good clay form. However, grass changes the equation.

Kvitova has struggled to shake off rust post-maternity, but if there's one surface where she can click instantly, it's grass. Her flat, skidding shots and big serve are ideal for Queen’s Club, and her résumé here far outclasses Haddad Maia’s despite the Brazilian's own solid grass track record.

Their head-to-head is 1–1, both matches on British grass in 2022. Haddad Maia won in Birmingham, Kvitova won in Eastbourne—both in straight sets with tight first sets. If Kvitova can serve well early and avoid long rallies, she has a chance to upset the rhythm and confidence of the Brazilian.

🔮 Prediction

Haddad Maia’s recent results on grass give her the edge on form, but Kvitova is dangerous here no matter what her ranking says. With both players lacking consistency in 2025, this could come down to serve and nerves. In a toss-up scenario, surface pedigree matters—and few own grass like Petra.

✅ Pick: Kvitova to win in 3 sets – experience, serve, and grass brilliance carry her through
🎯 Bonus leans:

Set betting: Kvitova 2–1
Over/Under: Over 22.5 games
Handicap: Kvitova +1.5 games (as underdog odds may offer value)

WTA Queen’s Club: Leylah Fernandez vs Tatjana Maria

🧠 Form & Context

🇨🇦 Leylah Fernandez

❌ Recent struggles: Has lost 6 of her last 8 matches, including early exits in Strasbourg and Roland-Garros.
🎾 Clay struggles: Posted a 2–5 record on clay this year, never finding form.
🌱 Grass revival hopes: Reached QFs in Birmingham and Eastbourne last season; now needs strong results to defend points.
⚠️ Seeded but shaky: Comes into Queen’s with low confidence and little match rhythm.

🇩🇪 Tatjana Maria

✅ Qualifier momentum: Won both qualifying rounds in straight sets to enter the main draw.
🔁 Losing skid ended: Had lost 9 straight matches before London, including a loss to world No. 229.
🧠 Grass-court veteran: Semifinalist at Wimbledon 2022; now 2–1 on grass in 2025.
📉 Tough 2025 overall: Struggled heavily on hard/clay but could find form again on her favorite surface.

🔍 Match Breakdown: This one’s free — full analysis now live on Patreon.

👉 Read full breakdown here

🇱🇻 Anastasija Sevastova vs 🇨🇴 Camila Osorio

🎾 WTA Hertogenbosch – First Round

🇱🇻 Anastasija Sevastova vs 🇨🇴 Camila Osorio

🧠 Form & Context

Anastasija Sevastova

🧬 Veteran making a comeback: Currently ranked 406 but reached former heights of No. 11.
🧱 5–4 in 2025 with signs of sharpness—took sets off Ostapenko and beat Pavlyuchenkova and Sonmez.
🌱 Grass history: 28–20 career record on grass, including multiple R16 appearances at Wimbledon and Eastbourne.
🔁 Playing her first match on grass this year, but possesses the slices and feel to compete on the surface.
⚠️ Retired from multiple matches in recent years, including earlier this year at Koper, which adds risk.

Camila Osorio

📈 Active season: 14–10 in 2025, including a solid clay stretch (9–5) and multiple wins in Rabat and Bogota.
🤷‍♀️ Mixed grass record: 12–11 overall and only 3–4 last year, but did push elite players close (lost in 3 to Svitolina).
⚔️ Brings fight: Rarely loses easily; all three of her French Open losses this year came in 3-set battles.
❌ Sometimes struggles with short balls and low slices—grass exposes these technical gaps.

🔍 Match Breakdown

This match is more balanced than rankings suggest. Sevastova may be ranked outside the Top 400, but she is far more experienced, especially on grass. Her game, centered on touch, slice, and clever angles, is ideal for the surface. She also has a history of turning up at smaller events like Hertogenbosch when fit.

Osorio, though younger and more athletic, is more comfortable on clay. She can retrieve all day but tends to play loopy, high-spin shots that don’t work as well on grass. The Colombian has limited experience converting leads into wins on quick courts and can get frustrated when points are cut short.

This could be decided by match rhythm: if Sevastova gets in front and keeps rallies short, Osorio may not have the tools to turn it around. But if the match becomes physical, the advantage shifts back to the younger Colombian.

🔮 Prediction

Tricky match. Osorio is more match-fit and has the edge in stamina, but Sevastova’s variety and experience on grass make her a live underdog. If the Latvian avoids a physical grind, she could pull off the upset.

✅ Pick: Sevastova to win in 3 sets
🎯 Bonus leans:

Set betting: Sevastova 2–1
Over/Under: Over 21.5 games
Handicap: Sevastova +2.5 games

🇬🇧 Jacob Fearnley vs 🇺🇸 Brandon Nakashima

🎾 ATP Stuttgart – First Round

🇬🇧 Jacob Fearnley vs 🇺🇸 Brandon Nakashima

🧠 Form & Context

Jacob Fearnley

🔥 22–13 in 2025 and coming off a confident clay campaign (10–6).
🚀 Hasn't played a grass match yet this season but owns a solid 10–5 career record on the surface.
📈 Big-serving Brit with efficient movement and growing confidence at the tour level.
👊 Made a breakthrough this clay swing with wins over Humbert, Lajovic, Moutet, and Fognini.
💪 Competing in Stuttgart for the first time—his aggressive court style should suit the fast conditions.

Brandon Nakashima

📉 2025 has been streaky: 16–16 W/L with a few strong results on hard but little consistency elsewhere.
🇩🇪 Semifinalist here in Stuttgart last year, meaning this is one of his better-performing grass events.
⛔ No grass matches played yet this year and has not looked sharp on clay (7–8).
📊 Grass record is modest: 24–16 career, but most success came early in his pro run.
🧱 Solid counterpuncher who thrives on hard courts but can be rushed on quicker surfaces.

🔍 Match Breakdown

Both players come into this with questions. Nakashima has the better hard-court resume and past Stuttgart semifinal to lean on, but he hasn’t played a match on grass in 2025 and his confidence is shaky after early clay exits.

Fearnley, on the other hand, has built serious momentum and has a game that naturally suits grass: strong serve, flat drives, and aggressive positioning.

The British player has more current match toughness, and his results against higher-level opponents suggest he could be ready for a top-40 scalp. The matchup likely comes down to who serves more effectively—Fearnley has a slight edge in first-strike tennis, while Nakashima will rely on precision and depth.

🔮 Prediction

Fearnley is the more dynamic player in 2025, and with Stuttgart being a fast court, his grass instincts could carry him past the American who’s still finding his rhythm. Expect at least one tiebreak, but the Brit should edge this one.

✅ Pick: Fearnley in 3 sets – better momentum, suited surface
🎯 Bonus leans:

Set betting: Fearnley 2–1
Over/Under: Over 23.5 games (tight margins expected)
Handicap: Fearnley -1.5 games

🇨🇱 Nicolas Jarry vs 🇮🇹 Luciano Darderi

🎾 ATP Hertogenbosch – First Round

🇨🇱 Nicolas Jarry vs 🇮🇹 Luciano Darderi

🧠 Form & Context

Nicolas Jarry

🧱 Grass experience: 12–16 career record on grass, with a past QF appearance in Hertogenbosch (2019).
🔁 Up-and-down 2025: 8–14 W/L record, mostly struggling on clay (5–11), but won his only grass match this year (vs Schoolkate).
🎯 Big-server with a grass-suited game: Can shorten points and win free serves when in rhythm.
🔻 Recent losses to Mannarino, Popyrin, and Cerundolo show inconsistency at higher levels.
💥 Dangerous when he finds his serve + forehand combo early.

Luciano Darderi

🔥 Breakthrough 2025 on clay: 16–11 on the surface, including title wins and high-profile wins over Tiafoe and Draper.
❌ But grass record? 1–5 in career, 0–1 this season (lost to Korda in 4 at RG, then went out early in Hamburg).
🧪 First time at Hertogenbosch and still adapting to the grass movement and pace.
🚫 Lacks the variety and first-strike confidence needed for this surface; rallies tend to be too long.

🔍 Match Breakdown

This is a clear surface mismatch. Jarry may not be in top form, but his style fits grass far more naturally. His height (198 cm), serve-oriented game, and comfort with short rallies give him the upper hand against a clay-centric baseliner like Darderi.

Darderi’s record on grass is extremely limited and underwhelming, with just one career win (over a lower-tier opponent). Unless he has made significant improvements in transition play and serve precision, he may find himself under pressure in every service game.

Jarry won’t need to be flawless here—just efficient on serve and capitalize on Darderi’s deep return position and predictable rally patterns.

🔮 Prediction

Darderi has the form edge overall, but it’s clay-based. Grass is a completely different test, and Jarry has enough surface IQ and weapons to exploit that gap. Expect a few tight games, but Jarry should pull through.

✅ Pick: Jarry to win in 2 sets
🎯 Bonus leans:

Set betting: Jarry 2–0
Over/Under: Under 22.5 games
Handicap: Jarry -3.5 games

🇷🇺 Veronika Kudermetova vs 🇷🇺 Polina Kudermetova

🎾 WTA Hertogenbosch – First Round

🇷🇺 Veronika Kudermetova vs 🇷🇺 Polina Kudermetova

🧠 Form & Context

Veronika Kudermetova

🧱 Grass pedigree: One of the most consistent players at Hertogenbosch in recent years – finalist in 2023, semifinalist twice before.
🔥 Strong 2025 so far: 22–14 W/L with a 5–4 record on grass and deep runs in Madrid, Rome, and Paris.
👑 Tournament comfort: Played here every year since 2018 and always made at least the QF since 2022.
🧠 Confidence edge: Beat her younger sister Polina just last month in Madrid with ease (6–2, 6–2).

Polina Kudermetova

🌱 Grass hesitations: 3–3 lifetime on grass, and just 1 match played on the surface in 2025 (a win over Sharma).
📉 Less stable form: 14–13 W/L in 2025, but many wins have come in lower-tier events.
🧬 Emotional X-factor: Facing her older sister again just weeks after a one-sided loss could either inspire or overwhelm.
📊 Lacks notable wins on grass or in WTA main draws this year – best results still at ITF level.

🔍 Match Breakdown

While a sibling clash always brings narrative intrigue, the performance gap is significant. Veronika is more experienced, more proven on grass, and much more accomplished at this event. Her flatter, powerful shots are built for low-bouncing grass, and she moves well on the surface.

Polina plays a more defensive game, often relying on rally endurance, which doesn’t translate well to grass where quick court coverage and first-strike tennis are rewarded. She’ll need to shorten points and find her serve rhythm quickly to avoid another repeat of Madrid.

Veronika’s ability to impose early and neutralize her sister’s rhythm will be the key. Given their recent matchup and historical data at this venue, the elder Kudermetova has every edge.

🔮 Prediction

Expect a composed and focused performance from Veronika. Polina may keep it close for a few games, but Veronika’s consistency and surface comfort should make this straightforward.

✅ Pick: Veronika Kudermetova to win in straight sets
🎯 Bonus leans:

Set betting: Veronika 2–0
Over/Under: Under 20.5 games
Handicap: Veronika -4.5 games

🇳🇱 Arianne Hartono vs 🇮🇹 Elisabetta Cocciaretto

🎾 WTA Hertogenbosch – First Round

🇳🇱 Arianne Hartono vs 🇮🇹 Elisabetta Cocciaretto

🧠 Form & Context

Arianne Hartono

🎾 Dutch wildcard with past experience here: R16 at Hertogenbosch in 2022.
📉 Inconsistent year: 11–16 overall in 2025, with most wins coming indoors or on ITF circuits.
🌱 Grass-court record: 5–10 career, but 1–2 this season (lost to Minnen and Brancaccio).
💪 Strong indoor showing (5–5 in 2025) and recently battled through Birmingham qualifying.
🇳🇱 Will have home support, but has struggled at WTA level this season.

Elisabetta Cocciaretto

📈 Higher pedigree: Ranked inside the Top 100 and a solid 9–15 W/L in 2025, mostly on clay.
🧱 Groundstroke-based player who prefers rhythm—grass not her ideal surface (career 6–4).
✅ Recent wins over Townsend, Avanesyan, and Martinez Cirez show form picking up.
🔄 First career appearance at Hertogenbosch, aiming to transition clay form onto grass.
🧠 Has already beaten Hartono in their only meeting (French Open 2022 Qualies, 6–2 6–4).

🔍 Match Breakdown

Hartono is a competent indoor/hard court player but often struggles when rushed—grass courts tend to expose her weaknesses under pace. While she will be motivated by the crowd and past experience here, her form hasn’t been strong enough to suggest an upset is brewing.

Cocciaretto, while not a natural grass-courter, has better footwork, discipline from the baseline, and enough tactical maturity to keep the ball out of Hartono’s strike zone. Her recent run at the French Open (2R) shows she’s building rhythm, even if she prefers slower surfaces.

If Cocciaretto handles her service games cleanly and moves Hartono laterally, she should be able to break her down.

🔮 Prediction

Hartono may stay close for a set, especially with home crowd backing, but Cocciaretto's shot tolerance and greater rally control should wear her down. Expect a tight first set, then a more comfortable close.

✅ Pick: Cocciaretto to win in 2 sets
🎯 Bonus leans:

Set betting: Cocciaretto 2–0
Over/Under: Under 21.5 games (with a potential 7–5, 6–3 type scoreline)
Handicap: Cocciaretto -3.5 games

ATP Stuttgart: Benjamin Bonzi vs Jiri Lehecka

🧠 Form & Context

🇫🇷 Benjamin Bonzi

⚠️ Inconsistent 2025: Holds a 12–13 record overall and has yet to play on grass this season.
🎾 Stuttgart history: Quarterfinalist in 2023, but lost in the opening round last year.
💥 Patchy form: Hasn’t beaten many top players lately but does own recent wins over Cilic and Pacheco Mendez.
📉 Grass court results: 24–13 lifetime but only 1 grass win in 2024 and none so far this season.
📌 Key to compete: Will need top-notch serving to have a chance against an in-form Lehecka.

🇨🇿 Jiri Lehecka

🚀 Solid 2025: 18–11 record includes wins over Korda, Musetti, Cerundolo, and Norrie across clay and hard courts.
🔄 Grass adaptation: Career 5–8 on grass, but did reach Stuttgart R16 last year.
🧠 Composed under pressure: Beat Bonzi earlier this year at the Australian Open in straight sets.
📍 Familiar ground: Stuttgart suits his game, and he returns with momentum and confidence.

🔍 Match Breakdown: Full analysis and betting picks now live for our Patreon crew.

👉 Read full breakdown here

🇨🇦 Gabriel Diallo vs 🇦🇺 Aleksandar Vukic

🎾 ATP Hertogenbosch – First Round

🇨🇦 Gabriel Diallo vs 🇦🇺 Aleksandar Vukic

🧠 Form & Context

Gabriel Diallo

🔥 Momentum builder: Impressive wins this clay season over Musetti, Dimitrov, Norrie, and Griekspoor.
📈 19–16 in 2025, including 3–4 on grass; very capable of handling pace and firepower.
📍 Hertogenbosch debut, but has strong form entering this week.
💪 Physically dominant and mentally composed—especially in long rallies and tiebreaks.
🧱 Played 7 matches in Madrid alone, showing endurance and rhythm in back-to-back wins.

Aleksandar Vukic

📉 Struggling season: Just 8–18 in 2025; only 1 main draw win since Estoril in April.
🌱 Grass record weak: 0–1 this year, and just 19–17 lifetime.
❗ Confidence dip: Lost to Virtanen, Khachanov, and Korda easily in recent matches.
✅ H2H edge: Beat Diallo in Australian Open qualifying last year (6-3, 6-4).
🎯 Best 2024 grass result: QF here at Hertogenbosch, but big drop in performance since then.

🔍 Match Breakdown

Diallo comes in fresh off a stellar clay stretch, now transitioning to a surface where his big serve and first-strike potential translate well. While grass isn’t his most proven surface, his physicality and timing should cause problems for the out-of-form Vukic.

Vukic’s aggressive style can work on grass when executed well, but recent results suggest a lack of rhythm and conviction. His ground game has been leaking errors, and he’s found little joy converting tight sets. If Diallo can maintain serve and keep points short, he’s in a strong position to control the tempo.

One potential edge for Vukic is prior grass success at this very tournament, reaching the QF last year. But his confidence seems to have eroded, and his recent loss to Virtanen on this surface suggests trouble.

🔮 Prediction

Despite the head-to-head loss, Diallo is clearly the more in-form player and has shown the stamina, weapons, and belief to handle big matches. Unless Vukic rediscovers his 2023 grass game quickly, this could be a tough outing.

✅ Pick: Diallo in 2 tight sets – expect tiebreak potential
🎯 Bonus leans:

Set betting: Diallo 2–0
Over/Under: Over 22.5 games (tiebreak or long set likely)
Handicap: Diallo -2.5 games

🇵🇹 Nuno Borges vs 🇺🇸 Nishesh Basavareddy

🎾 ATP Hertogenbosch – First Round

🇵🇹 Nuno Borges vs 🇺🇸 Nishesh Basavareddy

🧠 Form & Context

Nuno Borges

🔁 Easing into grass season after a busy clay stretch; hasn’t played a grass match yet in 2025 but owns a 4–5 career record on the surface.
📈 Overall solid season with a 21–17 record, including high-quality wins over Casper Ruud, Michelsen, and Carreño Busta.
🎯 Impressive French Open run saw him reach the third round after beating Ruud, before falling to Popyrin.
🇳🇱 Making his debut in Hertogenbosch, but brings plenty of tour-level experience and tactical discipline to the court.

Nishesh Basavareddy

🌱 Making his ATP-level grass debut — zero career matches on this surface.
⚡ Rising 20-year-old American with strong NCAA credentials and a developing pro resume.
🧱 12–12 on the year, with Challenger-level victories over veterans like Wawrinka and Ramos-Viñolas.
❓ Still quite raw: He’s yet to be tested on the unique conditions and speed of grass, especially against a composed opponent like Borges.

🔍 Match Breakdown

This is a classic matchup of poise vs. potential. Borges has quietly stitched together a strong 2025 campaign and proven he can deliver under pressure. While grass isn’t his forte, his compact technique and balanced footwork should transfer well — especially against a player stepping onto the surface for the first time.

Basavareddy has talent and upside, but grass offers no grace period. Shorter points, low skids, and unpredictable footing can quickly unravel an inexperienced player’s rhythm. Unless he adapts remarkably fast, he could struggle to hold serve and stay composed in longer rallies.

🔮 Prediction

Basavareddy will be a name to follow in the coming years, but his grass-court initiation might be a tough one. Borges simply has more tools, know-how, and tactical sharpness to manage this matchup.

✅ Pick: Borges to win in straight sets
🎯 Bonus leans:

Set betting: Borges 2–0
Over/Under: Under 21.5 games
Handicap: Borges -3.5 games

🏷️ Labels: ATP Hertogenbosch, Nuno Borges, Nishesh Basavareddy, Tennis Betting Preview, Grass Court Tennis, Tennis Predictions