Zheng Qinwen v Donna Vekic: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Chinese ace Qinwen Zheng was in the headlines this week after she defied the odds to defeat Iga Swiatek 6-2 7-5 in the semi-finals of the women's singles tennis at the Olympics.

That victory brought an end to Swiatek's 25-match winning streak on the Parisian clay and means Zheng will become the first Chinese player to win an Olympic medal in singles.

But she will not settle for silver and will be well aware of the challenge that faces her in the French capital as she prepares to face Croatia's Donna Vekic.

Vekic's semi-final triumph over Anna Schmiedlova was not as eye-catching, but was nonetheless impressive with the Croatian prevailing 6-4 6-0.

Vekic enjoyed a strong grass-court campaign and it is worth noting both of these players exited the French Open at this venue in the third round earlier this season.

Zheng Qinwen v Donna Vekic betting tips and predictions

Qinwen Zheng to win 2-1 - 11/4

To become the first player since 2021 to beat Swiatek on the Paris clay and not get a gold medal would be quite something and Zheng should indeed follow up her semi-final scalp by winning the final.

Beating Swiatek in those circumstances was undoubtedly impressive and Zheng should not even be feeling particularly fatigued from her victory given she won in straight sets.

The Chinese ace also deserves credit for previous wins in the competition over the likes of improving American Emma Navarro and Germany's Angelique Kerber, who knew this would be her last professional event.

She has handled each and every test put in front of her and she warmed up for the Olympics by winning the Palermo Ladies Open on clay earlier in July.

Zheng dropped just one set en route to that title and she has shown laser focus on the WTA tour recently.

She is only 21 but reached her first Grand Slam final this year at the Australian Open and she looks ready to capitalise on another shot at a title.

Vekic is no pushover and she made light work of Schmiedlova in the semi-finals.

But while the Croatian has the edge in experience, the French Open at this venue has traditionally been her weakest Grand Slam.

A run to the final of the Bad Homburg Open and the semi-finals of Wimbledon show she can be a danger but both events were on grass and she could fall short on the Parisian clay.

That said, she can take this to a third set and the best bet for the match is Zheng to win 2-1.

Three sets in match - 5/4

At 5/4, punters who do not want to settle on a winner can back this final to go to three sets.

Both players won in straight sets in the semi-finals but were taken to three sets in the quarter-finals and this match looks overpriced to also go the distance.

Their most recent meeting in Zhuhai, China in October last year went to three sets and featured a total of 33 games.

And with even more riding on this match as both players target a first ever Olympic gold medal, it could be a backwards-and-forwards kind of contest.

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Zheng Qinwen v Donna Vekic odds

Zheng Qinwen - 4/9
Donna Vekic - 7/4

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.