WTA Berlin Tennis Open Day 2 Preview and Predictions
Day 2 of the WTA Berlin Tennis Open promises an exciting lineup with six compelling first-round matches featuring top-tier talent and former Grand Slam winners. The spotlight falls on the matchup between Madison Keys and Marketa Vondrousova, but all matches offer intriguing battles. Below, we break down and predict the outcomes of key clashes, including head-to-head insights and recent form.
Donna Vekic vs. Diana Shnaider
Head-to-Head: Vekic 1-1 Shnaider
Donna Vekic, a former finalist, looks to kickstart her grass-court campaign and gain momentum ahead of Wimbledon. Grass suits Vekic’s game, where her aggressive style can shine when she’s at her best. However, Diana Shnaider, the higher-ranked player, poses a tough challenge. Shnaider’s victory over Vekic on grass last season and her stronger recent form give her the edge. Expect a competitive match, but Shnaider’s confidence should carry her through.
Prediction: Shnaider in 3 sets
Naomi Osaka vs. Liudmila Samsonova
Head-to-Head: Osaka 2-1 Samsonova
Naomi Osaka makes her grass-court season debut in Berlin, a surface where she’s yet to fully dominate despite her powerful serve and groundstrokes. Facing Liudmila Samsonova, who excels on grass but is coming off an unexpected loss at the Libema Open, Osaka will need to shake off rust quickly. While Osaka leads their head-to-head, this is their first grass-court encounter. Samsonova’s comfort on this surface gives her a slight advantage in a tight contest.
Prediction: Samsonova in 3 sets
Madison Keys vs. Marketa Vondrousova
Head-to-Head: Keys 1-0 Vondrousova
Madison Keys, fresh off a semifinal loss to Tatjana Maria at Queen’s Club, where Maria’s unconventional slices disrupted her rhythm, returns to Berlin after a three-year absence. She faces 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova, whose crafty left-handed game could pose problems on grass. Vondrousova’s form has been inconsistent due to a recent shoulder injury, and her limited match play this season (6-5 record) makes her unpredictable. Keys, with a 30-8 record in 2025 and a prior 6-1, 6-4 win over Vondrousova at the 2023 US Open, thrives on grass (52-20 career record) and is favored to overpower her opponent if she maintains consistency.
Prediction: Keys in 2 sets
Analysis and Outlook
Day 2 at the Berlin Tennis Open showcases a mix of power and finesse, with players like Keys aiming to leverage their aggressive styles and others like Vondrousova relying on tactical variety. Shnaider’s recent form and Osaka’s grass-court rust make their matches particularly intriguing. Fans can expect high-level tennis as these athletes fine-tune their games for Wimbledon.