Svitolina vs Vondrousova predictions: Unseeded rivals tough to split

- Three of Elina Svitolina’s last four Wimbledon assignments have gone to a deciding set
- Marketa Vondrousova’s last two wins have come in a final set decider
- Recommended bet: Over 2.5 sets

With Elina Svitolina granted a Wimbledon wildcard and Marketa Vondrousova unseeded and currently at world number 42, it is fair to say that not many would have predicted the duo to be fighting it out for a place in Saturday’s final.

But that is the situation we find ourselves with and both players fully merit their place in the All England Club semi-final having successfully navigated their way through tricky passages.

Svitolina, who only returned to the WTA Tour in April after giving birth in October, stunned world number one Iga Swiatek in her quarter-final, having earlier overcome Venus Williams, Elise Meterns, Sofia Kenin and Victoria Azarenka.

Meanwhile, Vondrousova, who finished runner-up at the French Open in 2019, toppled world number four Jessica Pegula in her quarter-final clash and has also accounted for seeded stars Veronika Kudermetova, Donna Vekic and Marie Bouzkova.

Svitolina is a former Wimbledon semi-finalist so is the more experienced of the pair and the Ukrainian profited from having the crowd on side in her victory over Swiatek, but the youthful Vondrousova has the power and is unlikely to be flustered by the occasion.

The stats

This is the sixth career meeting between these two players and Svitolina currently leads their personal series 3-2, although Vondrousova has won the last two encounters in straight sets.

The latest of those victories for the Czech 24-year-old came in the Olympic Games semi-final back in July 2021 and they have never met on grass, so trusting the head-to-head may be thwarted with danger.

Both players have had tough routes to pass to reach the last four of the London Major and Svitolina has shown remarkable fitness, especially considering she only gave birth in October, to win three of her last four matches in a deciding set.

Last month’s French Open quarter-finalist has dropped at least a set in seven of her last 10 matches, which may offer some hope to Vondrousova.

The Czech talent has also required a deciding set in her last two wins at SW19 against Bouzkova and Pegula.

Vondrousova has now won seven of her eight grass-court matches this season, which is a big improvement on her previous career record on the turf of only two wins and 10 losses.

Prediction

This presents a massive opportunity for both players and, given the stakes and their recent performances, it seems unlikely that either will wilt under the pressure.

Svitolina has built on last month's French Open quarter-final run in fine style, showing some of her old sparkle that had seen her rise to as high as world number three in 2017.

But, unlike Vondrousova, the Ukrainian has never made a Grand Slam final and that must come with its pressure, although she may again have the Centre Court crowd in her favour.

Svitolina is more controlled in her approach than the hard-hitting Vondrousova, who will hit plenty of winners but also make a string of unforced errors.

However, the 24-year-old did finish runner-up at the French Open four years ago, so knows how to handle the situation, and she showed great resolve to claw herself back from 4-1 down in the deciding set with Pegula.

Three of Svitolina's last four matches have lasted three sets, while both of Vondrousova's last two wins have gone the distance.

Back Over 2.5 sets at 6/5 with LiveScore Bet.