Qinwen Zheng vs Donna Vekic Predictions, Odds, H2H – Women’s Olympic Tennis Final
by Brady Trettenero in Tennis
Updated Aug 2, 2024 · 1:11 PM PDT
Aug 1, 2024; Paris, France; Qinwen Zheng of Team People’s Republic of China celebrates winning against Iga Swiatek of Team Poland in the women’s singles semi-finals during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Roland Garros. Mandatory Credit: Andrew P. Scott-USA TODAY SportsQinwen Zheng and Donna Vekic, both first-time Olympic finalists, battle for gold in ParisThe Women’s Tenis Final betting odds heavily favor China’s Zheng at -225Read below for Zheng vs Vekic odds, predictions and head-to-head history for Saturday
The 2024 Paris Olympics women’s singles final features China’s Qinwen Zheng and Croatia’s Donna Vekic, both first-time finalists. It’s a matchup filled with intrigue, historical significance, and plenty of betting value.
Zheng, the 21-year-old sixth seed, pulled off the biggest upset of the tournament by defeating world No. 1 and heavy favorite Iga Swiatek in straight sets. Vekic, seeded 13th, won the battle of the giant-killers by toppling 2nd-seeded Coco Gauff in the quarterfinals.
So who will be standing atop the podium when the clay dust settles? We’ve got you covered with our betting preview, including the latest odds, matchup analysis, and predictions. Let’s dive in.
Zheng vs Vekic Odds
| Player | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qinwen Zheng | -3.5 (-120) | -225 | O 21.5 (-140) |
| Donna Vekic | +3.5 (-120) | +175 | U 21.5 (-110) |
The oddsmakers have installed Zheng as a solid -225 favorite on the moneyline, which implies a 71.4% win probability. Vekic is priced at +175 (33.3% implied probability) as the underdog. The spread is set at Zheng -3.5, while the total is posted at 21.5 games.
The Women’s Singles Final takes place on Saturday at Court Philippe-Chatrier, Stade Roland-Garros in Paris, France. The match will be broadcast on USA Network, beginning at 10:00 a.m ET.
It’s uncharted territory for both players, and each has a chance to make history for their respective countries.
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Zheng vs Vekic odds as of August 2nd, 2024, at DraftKings Sportsbook. Check out the available DraftKings promo code for the Women’s Olympic Tennis Final.
Zheng vs Vekic Head-to-Head
Zheng and Vekic have only squared off twice before, and it’s all square at 1-1.
| Year | Tournament | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Courmayeur | Vekic def. Zheng 7-6(1), 6-2 |
| 2023 | Zhuhai | Zheng def. Vekic 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-4 |
Their first tango was way back in 2021 at the Courmayeur Ladies Open on the indoor hard courts. Vekic, then ranked No. 97, squeaked out a tight first set tiebreak 7-6(1) against the teenage Zheng before cruising 6-2 in the second.
Fast forward to 2023, and the script flipped at the WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai. Zheng, now a top-tier seed, took the first set 6-4. Vekic clawed back, saving match points to steal the second set tiebreak 8-6. But Zheng steadied the ship, breaking late in the decider to prevail 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-4.
So, what can we take away from these clashes? Not a whole lot, really. Both matches were close, but they happened in vastly different circumstances. Zheng’s clearly a different beast now than she was in that 2021 loss, while Vekic will take heart from her 2021 win and pushing Zheng to the brink in Zhuhai.
Zheng’s Road to Gold
The rising star from China has been on a tear this summer. She’s riding a 10-match winning streak, punctuated by a title in Palermo just before the Olympics. But her masterpiece came in the semifinals, where she dismantled Swiatek 6-2, 7-5.
Here’s a look at her path to the final:
Zheng 2024 Paris Olympics Results
| Round | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1R | Sara Errani | 6-0, 6-0 |
| 2R | Arantxa Rus | 6-2, 6-4 |
| 3R | Emma Navarro | 6-7(7), 7-6(4), 6-1 |
| QF | Angelique Kerber | 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(6) |
| SF | Iga Swiatek | 6-2, 7-5 |
Zheng showed tremendous resilience in back-to-back three-hour matches against Navarro and Kerber. Then she went and snapped Swiatek’s 25-match Roland Garros winning streak in impressive fashion, showcasing major coolness under pressure.
What’s been most impressive about Zheng’s run is her ability to raise her level when it matters most. Against Swiatek, she came back from 0-4 down in the second set, reeling off seven of the last eight games to secure the win.
The mental toughness Zheng has already displayed will serve her well in the gold medal match. If she can maintain the aggressive, powerful tennis she’s displayed thus far, she’ll be tough to beat.
Vekic’s Road to Gold
Croatia’s top player is enjoying a career-best season in 2024. She made an impressive run to the Wimbledon semifinals and has carried that form into Paris. Vekic has already secured Croatia’s first-ever Olympic women’s singles medal and is now guaranteed at least silver.
Her route to the final:
Vekic 2024 Paris Olympics Results
| Round | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1R | Lucia Bronzetti | 6-2, 7-5 |
| 2R | Bianca Andreescu | 6-3, 6-4 |
| 3R | Coco Gauff | 7-6(7), 6-2 |
| QF | Marta Kostyuk | 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(8) |
| SF | Anna K. Schmiedlova | 6-4, 6-0 |
Vekic’s victory over 2nd seed Gauff was a major statement. She then outlasted Kostyuk in an epic quarterfinal before dominating surprise semifinalist Schmiedlova. The 28-year-old is in uncharted territory but has looked at home on the big stage.
Vekic’s experience has shone through in her maiden Olympic run. She’s won the big points in tense moments, as evidenced by her first-set tiebreak win over Gauff and her thrilling quarterfinal triumph over Kostyuk.
Her semifinal rout of Schmiedlova was a masterclass in controlling the match from start to finish. If Vekic can bring that same level of poise and precision into the final, she has a real shot at pulling off the upset and making Croatian tennis history.
Zheng vs Vekic Prediction
Tennis fans couldn’t have asked for a better gold medal matchup. It’s a contrast of styles – Zheng’s explosive power against Vekic’s precision and poise. The Chinese youngster has looked unstoppable, while the Croatian veteran appears to be peaking at the perfect time.
🎾Chinese tennis player Zheng Qinwen just ENDED Poland's Iga Swiątek's 25-match winning streak and will move on to the Olympic final at Roland-Garros, becoming the first Chinese player to do so. pic.twitter.com/IrKFXQgqKa
— Orikron 🇵🇹 (@orikron) August 1, 2024
However, when you examine the stats and trends, Zheng has the advantage. Clay is clearly her best surface (68% win rate), while it’s actually Vekic’s weakest (46%). Zheng has also demonstrated she can go the distance, surviving two grueling three-setters. Her confidence is sky-high after defeating Swiatek.
Vekic may be the fresher player, but Zheng’s current form is simply too strong to ignore. I’m backing the 21-year-old to ride her momentum to a historic gold medal for China. Don’t be surprised if she achieves it in straight sets, too.
The Picks:
Qinwen Zheng -3.5 games (-120)Zheng to Win Every Set 6-3 or 6-4 (+650 sprinkle bet)
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