Beatriz Haddad Maia began her 2025 Bad Homburg Open campaign with a confident straight-sets victory over American lucky loser Ashlyn Krueger on Tuesday, June 24. The Brazilian, ranked No. 21 in the world, dispatched Krueger 6-1, 6-4 to advance to the second round, where she is set to face the formidable Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, the tournament's No. 7 seed.
Haddad Maia entered the Bad Homburg draw with some history at the event, having reached the second round last year before falling to Anna Blinkova 6-3, 7-5. In 2024, she had also recorded a solid first-round win over Tamara Korpatsch 6-1, 7-6(6). This year, however, the Brazilian faces a challenging path, as her record against likely opponents in the tournament stands at a modest 2-7.
Her opening-round opponent, Ashlyn Krueger, came into the tournament as a lucky loser after Xinyu Wang withdrew to prepare for Wimbledon. Krueger, ranked No. 31, had lost in the final round of qualifying to Katerina Siniakova in straight sets. Despite this setback, Krueger's 2025 season has been noteworthy. She holds a 21-17 win-loss record this year, including 2-3 on grass, and reached the final in Abu Dhabi, where she defeated notable players like Leylah Fernandez and Linda Noskova before falling to Belinda Bencic in a three-set thriller.
Statistically, Krueger has played 31 matches in 2025, hitting 111 aces, winning 64.6% of her first serves, and converting 48.7% of break points. Haddad Maia, meanwhile, has competed in 23 matches this year, serving 59 aces, winning 62.3% of her first-serve points, and converting 40.7% of break points. Their head-to-head record favors Haddad Maia 1-0, with their only previous meeting earlier this year in Strasbourg ending in a straight-sets win for the Brazilian (7-6, 6-3).
In their Bad Homburg opener, Haddad Maia lived up to expectations by dominating the first set 6-1 and closing out the match 6-4 in the second. This win showcased her all-court versatility and steadiness, traits that have been hallmarks of her game throughout 2025. Despite a singles season with few standout results, Haddad Maia has found recent success in doubles, notably winning the Nottingham title alongside Laura Siegemund by upsetting the pair of Anna Danilina and Ena Shibahara in the final.
Looking ahead, Haddad Maia’s next challenge will be against Elina Svitolina, a player with an impressive 30-9 record in 2025 and a strong grass-court history (10-4 over the last three years). Svitolina’s recent form is formidable, having won eight of her last ten matches, including the tournament in Rouen where she defeated Olga Danilovic in a thrilling final 6-4, 7-6(8). The Ukrainian has never faced Haddad Maia on the main tour, setting the stage for an intriguing first-time clash on grass.
The quarterfinals could see Haddad Maia face another tough opponent in Jasmine Paolini, who holds a 3-0 head-to-head advantage over the Brazilian. Paolini has compiled a 25-10 record in 2025 but is less experienced on grass, with a 14-16 career record on the surface. The Italian recently captured the Rome title by beating Cori Gauff 6-4, 6-2, underscoring her ability to challenge top players.
Should Haddad Maia advance further, she might meet Iga Swiatek in the semifinals. Swiatek, the world No. 1, has a 32-10 record in 2025 and has yet to compete on grass this year. Swiatek leads their head-to-head 3-1, though they have never met on grass in major tournaments. The Polish star’s recent form includes a finals appearance in Australia, signaling her intent to add a grass-court title to her impressive résumé.
In a potential final, Haddad Maia could face Jessica Pegula, who holds a 1-0 head-to-head lead. Pegula has enjoyed a strong 2025 season with a 31-12 record and has won titles in Austin and Charleston. Her grass-court record spans 29-22 over 17 years, making her a seasoned contender on the surface.
Betting odds leading into the tournament slightly favored Haddad Maia in her opening match against Krueger, with FanDuel listing her at -146 compared to Krueger’s +120. The implied chance of Haddad Maia winning the match was approximately 55.6%, reflecting her experience and tactical prowess. However, Krueger’s powerful serve and aggressive style, highlighted by her 3.5 aces per match average in 2025 compared to Haddad Maia’s 2.2, made her a dangerous underdog.
Despite Krueger’s early-season surge and strong serve statistics, Haddad Maia’s consistency and strategic play proved decisive. The Brazilian’s ability to win key points and maintain pressure on Krueger’s serve was evident in the 6-1, 6-4 scoreline.
Other notable first-round results at the Bad Homburg Open included Victoria Azarenka’s straight-sets victory over Laura Siegemund, Naomi Osaka’s tight win against Olga Danilovic, and Elina Svitolina’s solid performance over Elise Mertens. The tournament features a competitive field, with many players eyeing a strong grass-court showing ahead of Wimbledon.
As the Bad Homburg Open progresses, all eyes will be on Haddad Maia to see if she can continue her momentum against Svitolina and beyond. With a challenging draw and some of the WTA’s top players in the mix, the tournament promises exciting tennis and potential breakthroughs on grass.
For Haddad Maia, the journey is just beginning. Her blend of power, finesse, and experience on grass courts could make her a dark horse in this WTA 500 event. Meanwhile, Krueger’s entry as a lucky loser and her spirited play highlight the depth and unpredictability of the women’s tour, where rankings can be upended and new stars emerge.
Tuesday’s opening round at Bad Homburg set the tone for a thrilling week of tennis, with Haddad Maia’s victory signaling her readiness to make a significant impact. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the Brazilian aims to improve on last year’s performance and perhaps claim her first grass-court title.
