Match Details
Fixture: (6) Maria Sakkari vs Zheng Qinwen
Date: June 15, 2026
Tournament: Lexus Nottingham Open
Round: First Round (Round of 32)
Venue: Nottingham Tennis Centre, Nottingham, UK
Category: WTA 250
Surface: Grass
Prize Money: $283,347
Live Telecast: USA – Tennis Channel | UK – Sky Sports
Maria Sakkari vs Zheng Qinwen preview
Former top 10 players Maria Sakkari and Zheng Qinwen will clash in the first round of the Nottingham Open 2026.
A semifinal appearance at the Qatar Open was Sakkari’s most notable result during the hardcourt swing. She salvaged her clay swing with a third-round finish at the French Open. She had won only one match across four tournaments prior to the clay court Major.
Sakkari kicked off her time on grass at last week’s Queen’s Club Championships. She faced defending champion Tatjana Maria in the first round. Despite her best efforts, Sakkari couldn’t outfox her rival and lost the match 6-3, 6-3.
Zheng returned to the tour in February following an injury hiatus. She made the third round of the Qatar Open upon her comeback, and then reached the fourth round of the Miami Open.
Zheng made the third round of the Madrid Open and the Italian Open ahead of the French Open. She was stunned by Maja Chwalinska in the first round in Paris. It marked her earliest exit from the clay court Major. Her woes continued at the Queen’s Club Championships as well. She was knocked out by Jaqueline Cristian in the first round.
Maria Sakkari vs Zheng Qinwen head-to-head
Their rivalry is tied at 2-2. Zheng won their previous meeting at the Charleston Open 2025 in straight sets.
Maria Sakkari vs Zheng Qinwen odds
(Odds via BetMGM)
Maria Sakkari vs Zheng Qinwen prediction
Both players began the grass season on a losing note at last week’s Queen’s Club Championships. Sakkari has put together an 11-12 record this season, while Zheng has compiled a 7-7 record.
Zheng lost her first couple of meetings against Sakkari and has since won their next two matches. This will be the pair’s first showdown on grass, a surface neither player counts as their best.
Zheng has a 5-11 career record on grass, and has lost her last three matches on the surface. Sakkari has a 27-25 career record on grass. However, she has won only five matches on grass for the past two years. Despite a competitive rivalry between them, Zheng’s dismal record on grass makes her the underdog in this contest.
Pick: Maria Sakkari to win in straight sets.
Maria Sakkari vs Zheng Qinwen betting tips
Tip 1: The match will have at least 20 games.
Tip 2: Sakkari to win at least one set with a score of 6-3.
Edited by Rohit
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