Vekic – Sun Odds, Vekic – Sun Preview
| Vekic Odds | -280 |
| Sun Odds | +220 |
| Over/Under | 21.5 (-110 / -115) |
| Date | Tuesday, 7/9 |
| Time | 8 a.m. ET |
| How To Watch | ESPN2 |
| Odds as of Monday afternoon via DraftKings | |
Talk about a wide open section of the Wimbledon draw. Though Donna Vekic is a bit more established, especially on grass, she hasn't been near the top of the game in quite some time and is still a bit of a surprise to be heavily favored to be a semifinalist.
Then there's Lulu Sun, the former NCAA tennis player from the University of Texas that has, quite literally, powered her way through to the quarters in what has shocked even the most seasoned WTA followers.
Here is my Vekic vs Sun preview along with my Vekic – Sunpick and prediction.
Vekic Comfortable on Grass
Other than a loss to Greet Minnen (a big serving, flat hitter with plenty of power herself), the Croatian has been pretty good this grass season, reaching the final in Bad Homburg prior to Wimbledon. She is now being rewarded with a chance at the Wimbledon semifinal.
There's absolutely no secret as to why she's been so successful on the lawns either. Vekic possesses a massive serve and absolutely pummels the ball from the baseline. She's not the greatest mover or more consistent player in the world, but lucky for her, the grass is a surface that doesn't care so much about that if you can dictate play by hammering the ball.
Sun Thriving After Great Escape
Sun is making lemonade from lemons. She has gone from being a point away from elimination in qualifying to the quarterfinals.
With her big lefty serve, power and aggression, I thought she may trouble someone like Qinwen Zheng, who plays that way as well, but doesn't adapt well when rushed by pace in quick conditions. Even then, she had to save a 0-40 situation down a set and a game in the second set to emerge victorious in comeback fashion.
The lack of control with her power is the obvious weakness and with her playing someone that can hit just as hard, but generally tends to play with more controlled aggression, I think she could be in tough come Tuesday.
Vekic – Sun Pick
As I alluded to above, it's going to be tough for Sun. She plays someone who employs the same style, but is more polished in doing so and has far more matches under her belt on the grass.
That makes Vekic as fairly sizable favorite in my books. The problem? The market is already there, giving Vekic the decided edge at -280.
Right now we're seeing books that offer even game spreads at -4 and most other books at an expensive -3.5 and cheaper -4.5 If that -3.5 manages to come down to -3.5 in the -115 price range (don't hold your breath), that's where I'd become interested.
