Beatriz Haddad Maia is poised to kick off her campaign at the Bad Homburg Open against Ashlyn Krueger, a lucky loser who stepped in after Xinyu Wang withdrew from the tournament. Wang’s decision came after a strong performance at the Berlin event, where she reached the finals, but she chose to rest ahead of Wimbledon. This withdrawal allowed Krueger, who narrowly lost in the last round of qualifying, to gain entry into the main draw.
Haddad Maia’s singles run this season has been characterized by some notable achievements, including a semifinals appearance in Strasbourg and last-16 finishes in Melbourne and London, alongside a successful doubles campaign where she claimed the title in Nottingham with partner Laura Siegemund. This partnership has put them among the top-ranked duos in the world, increasing the possibility of qualifying for the WTA Finals.
Krueger started the year on a high note with consecutive quarterfinals in Brisbane and Adelaide, and a final appearance in Abu Dhabi, where she delivered solid performances against competing players. However, her form has since tapered off, and she hasn’t progressed past the round of 16 in subsequent tournaments.
The two players are set to meet for the second time, with Haddad Maia having previously defeated Krueger in Strasbourg in straight sets, showcasing a tight first-set tiebreak. As they prepare for the rematch, Maia holds the advantage in their head-to-head record.
Current betting odds suggest that Haddad Maia is favored to win, with her experience and performance consistency potentially giving her the edge against Krueger, who will need to recapture her early-season momentum to pose a significant challenge.
This matchup highlights the evolving nature of competitive tennis, where emerging players can quickly become formidable opponents, and experienced athletes can still rely on their skills to maintain an upper hand. The stage is set for an exciting clash as Maia seeks to build on her recent successes.