Coco Gauff vs Donna Vekic Prediction United Cup Tennis Picks 12/31/24

Coco Gauff helped the USA to a narrow win over Canada in their opening tie of Group A of the United Cup. Canada had already beaten Croatia and was looking to seal top spot in the group.

But Gauff quashed their hopes, first in singles defeating Leylah Fernandez in straight sets. The World No. 3 required an hour and 37 minutes in which she recorded one ace and three double faults.

Gauff landed 57% of first serves and won 87% of first-serve points (27/31) and 43% of second-serve points (10/23). She saved two break points on her own serve.

The American won half of her return points (37/74) and converted four out of six break points.

After Taylor Fritz lost in the men's singles match, Gauff stepped up to the plate in mixed doubles with Fritz to win the decisive rubber. 

Donna Vekic Preview

Donna Vekic contributed one loss in Croatia's defeat to Canada in the same group at the United Cup. In about an hour and a half of play, Vekic was beaten by Leylah Fernandez in straight sets.

The match took 19 games to decide, with Vekic registering two aces and six double faults. The World No. 19 landed 58% of first serves and won 74% of first-serve points (23/31) and 50% of second-serve points (11/22).

Vekic saved six out of eight break points on her own serve, but did not create a single one on the Fernandez delivery. Croatia's defeat was sealed in mixed doubles which Vekic was never part of.

Coco Gauff vs Donna Vekic Head-To-Head

• Vekic and Gauff have played each other once on the tour.

• The Croatian stunned Gauff in the last 16 of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris en route to clinching a silver medal for her country.

Coco Gauff vs Donna Vekic Prediction

It's now 14 wins from 16 matches for Coco Gauff in a run that includes titles in Beijing and the WTA Finals, and now her maiden United Cup match win. And the USA showed in their opening win in this group why they're considered tournament favorites. With such irresistible numbers and possessing two of the highest-ranked players in the field, they'll take some beating.