As the tennis world gears up for Wimbledon, the WTA Bad Homburg Open provides one final platform for players to fine-tune their grass-court game ahead of the third Major of the year. This year’s first-round slate and there should be plenty of compelling action from day one onwards. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match, but who will advance on the first day in Germany?
WTA Bad Homburg Day 1 Predictions
Yulia Putintseva vs Maria Sakkari
Head-to-head: Sakkari 2–1 Putinseva
Yulia Putintseva arrives at the WTA Bad Homburg Open on the back of mixed grass-court swing. She began her season with a convincing 6‑2 6‑2 win over Hannah Klugman in Nottingham, but in the second round, she was upset by Rebecca Sramkova. That result shook her momentum and highlighted lingering inconsistencies on grass. Maria Sakkari, by way of contrast, has had limited warm-up activity on grass ahead of Bad Homburg but remains a top-tier competitor on every surface (even if grass is probably where she is most beatable). Her baseline solidity and athleticism have carried her through recent tournaments, though she’s yet to establish rhythm on this surface. Expect a tight match, with a lot hinging on how quickly Putintseva is able to find the aggressive balance that will balance the scale in her favour.
Prediction: Putinseva in 3
Embed from Getty Images
Marta Kostyuk vs Emma Navarro
Head-to-head: Navarro 3–0 Kostyuk
Emma Navarro already owns a recent grass-court win over Marta Kostyuk, dominating their Berlin opener and coming away with the win in straight sets. The American’s clean ball-striking and tactical discipline neutralized Kostyuk’s power in that encounter, though Navarro was unable to back it up – losing in straight sets herself in the second round. Nonetheless, whilst Kostyuk remains dangerous on grass with her aggressive game, Navarro’s superior consistency and confidence from their recent meeting make her favourite in this repeat of last week’s match.
Prediction: Navarro in 2
Leylah Fernandez vs Tatjana Maria
Head‐to-head: Maria 3–0 Fernandez
This matchup heavily favours Tatjana Maria – as so many on this surface do. The German veteran is enjoying a career resurgence on grass, having just captured the title at Queen’s Club. scoring a dominant win over Leylah Fernandez along the way. Maria’s wicked slices and expert play in the forecourt has proven superbly effective on the surface. Fernandez. in contrast, has struggled this grass season, failing to build momentum after early exits at Queen’s and a quarterfinal exit in Nottingham. The Canadian’s flat groundstrokes haven’t translated well to the quick, low-bouncing surface, and Maria’s disruptive style may compound those issues at the WTA Bad Homburg Open. With Maria’s confidence surely soaring following her title run and Fernandez searching for form, expect another straightforward victory for the crafty German.
Prediction: Maria in 2
Embed from Getty Images
Elina Svitolina vs Elise Mertens
Head-to-head: Svitolina 4–3 Mertens
Elise Mertens arrives with superior grass-court momentum, having just claimed the Rosmalen title in ‘s-Hertogenbosch – her third career grass-court trophy. The Belgian’s versatile game, featuring precise serving and clever angles, is peaking at the right time. Svitolina meanwhile will make her 2025 grass debut with questions about match sharpness hanging over this encounter. The Ukrainian leads their head-to-head 4-3, but Mertens won their most recent clash. With Mertens in title-winning form and Svitolina potentially rusty, the Belgian is favored to edge this – though Svitolina’s counterpunching could test her rhythm.
Prediction: Mertens in 3
Main photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
