The giant killer, Anna Karolina Schmiedlova’s dream run continues at the Paris Olympics! The 29-year-old Slovak tennis star has now eliminated both the finalists of the 2024 Wimbledon in just a few days gap. Schmiedlova has now become the first tennis semifinalist from Slovakia at the Summer Olympics since 1988.

In the SF, she will take on Croatia’s Donna Vekic on Thursday (August 1). Even Vekic has become the first Croatian woman to reach the SF of an Olympic tennis event. The winner of this match will get a direct spot at the gold-medal match of the Paris Olympics. Who is having an edge in this enticing encounter?

Anna Karolina Schmiedlova vs Donna Vekic: Preview

Schmiedlova’s best result this year came at the WTA 250K Parma, IT. She started his Paris Olympics campaign by defeating Katie Boulter (GBR), Beatriz Haddad Maia (BRA) three sets for the in-form Jasmine Paolini (ITA) and the same against Barbora Krejcikova (CZE) in the QF by 6-4, 6-2. She hit 3 aces in the QF but didn’t commit any double fault. Her first-serve win percentage was 53%, while on the second serve it was 71%. Schmiedlova converted 5/11 breakpoints against Krejcikova, while saving 5/7.

Taking  a look at her opponent, Donna Vekic defeated Lucia Bronzetti (ITA), Bianca Andreescu (CAN), and Coco Gauff (USA) in the first three rounds. Then in the QF, she beat Marta Kostyuk (UKR) by 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(8). In the clash, she scored 2 aces and committed quite a few double faults (7). Donna Vekic won 60% of her first serve and 46% of her second serve but managed to save 11/17 breakpoints, while converting 5/12.

Schmiedlova vs Vekic: Head-to-Head

Both of them have played against each other only once in their careers so far. The indoor hard courts of the 2018 Luxembourg Open held their only meet, where Vekic defeated Schmiedlova by 6-0, 6-1.

Prediction: Vekic to win in three sets

Both Donna Vekic and Anna Karolina Schmiedlova are entering this match after defeating some of the favorites of the singles event. Schmiedlova has a win-loss record of 23-17 this season but over the years, she has played some of her best tennis on the clay courts. Vekic on the other hand has a win-loss record of 22-15 and she will also be keen to take aim at the gold-medal match.

Schmiedlova’s counter-punching style of play allows her to win even the most protracted of rallies. She is a solid clay court player and her strength mainly lies in her strong defensive skills. Schmiedlova (67) is also a good mover across the court and has a lot of variation in her game which can surprise her opponents. Don’t get distracted by her quiet and shy nature. Her cross-court backhands can be very lethal to topple any opponent on the Tour.

Vekic (21) on the other hand has been struggling a bit with her serve. She has hit 173 aces in this season and has committed an equal number of double faults. Vekic needs to put up a solid return game in order to cover up her struggles which she had in this season. She prefers a quick game where she can take advantage of her flat shots. The Croatian tennis star loves hitting hard and flat across both the wings and her biggest strength is her big first serve and powerful forehands.

Vekic’s extremely competitive nature is what separates her from any other opponents. However, she needs to keep a check on her unforced errors and come up with a better shot selection for better results this season. Why does she have an edge in this match? It’s only because of her experience of playing in the bigger stages of the game and also for her incredible form in the 2024 season!