Limoges Prediction: Stefanini vs Zhang 12/8/2025 Today’s Tennis Picks

World No. 141 Lucrezia Stefanini will face World No. 90 Shuai Zhang in the first round of the 2025 Limoges Challenger on Monday, December 8. Here’s our Lucrezia Stefanini vs Shuai Zhang prediction. This preview will also include a Lucrezia Stefanini vs Shuai Zhang pick.

Lucrezia Stefanini vs Shuai Zhang Preview

Lucrezia Stefanini is ranked 141st in the WTA rankings. She has previously broken into the top 100 and touched the No. 99 spot. Stefanini has compiled 38 wins and 29 losses in 2025 and is coming off a runner-up finish at the Rovereto Challenger in her home country back in October. Her best result at the Tour level was reaching the last 16 of the WTA 250 in Prague as a lucky loser and she successfully qualified for her only Grand Slam main draw at the French Open.

Stefanini has won six of her last eight matches on hard courts. This will be her second main draw appearance in Limoges. She was beaten in the first round on her debut appearance in this tournament three years ago.

Shuai Zhang is nine years her senior and is ranked 90th in the WTA rankings. Zhang is ranked No. 16 in doubles and is a former World No. 2 in that discipline. The 36-year-old Chinese is one of the most experienced names in the field in Limoges, where she is making her third career appearance. She lost in the first round once and made the quarterfinals on her last visit back in 2022.

Zhang has compiled 40 wins and 16 losses this season in singles. Her best results have been on the ITF circuit, where she scooped titles in Gifu, Nottingham, and, more recently, in Yokohama, all on hard courts. Zhang’s last match was this past week, where she lost in the second round to Mona Barthel in Angers.

Lucrezia Stefanini vs Shuai Zhang Head-To-Head

Stefanini and Zhang have never played at any level before this.

Lucrezia Stefanini vs Shuai Zhang Prediction

The line in this matchup feels downright wild with Zhang opening as a huge favorite at -400. Stefanini is getting little respect from the oddsmakers, but she’s gritty and can certainly compete, and she’s got six wins from eight matches. It wouldn’t shock me if she pushes this match deeper. Zhang’s most recent losses have been so unexpected and the value side in this one is Stefanini all day, with the set handicap almost at evens.

Nur Said's Pick: Stefanini set handicap 1.5