Prediction: Elina Svitolina VS Anna Bondár 2025-06-30
Wimbledon 2025: Elina Svitolina vs. Anna Bondár – A Tale of Grass Court Grit
By The LWOT Handicapping Crew
The Setup
Elina Svitolina (WTA 13), a two-time Wimbledon semifinalist and mother of one, faces Anna Bondár (WTA 75), a 22-year-old Hungarian with exactly zero WTA-level grass-court wins. The odds? Svitolina is a 1.04-1.06 favorite (implied probability: ~95%), while Bondár is a 10.0-13.0 underdog (~9-10% implied). The LWOT team’s consensus? Svitolina in 2 sets, with a side of “please don’t let Bondár serve for the match.”
Why Svitolina?
- Grass Court Guru: Svitolina has reached the Wimbledon semifinals twice (2019, 2023) and the quarters in 2024. She’s trained on the All England Club’s courts this year, with coach Andrew Bettles in attendance.
- Head-to-Head Domination: Svitolina has beaten Bondár in their only previous meeting (2025, exact score irrelevant—she won).
- Mental Edge: As one of nine mothers at Wimbledon 2025, Svitolina brings “mom energy” to the court—read: relentless focus and zero tolerance for losing.
Bondár’s Case (Spoiler: It’s Weak)
- Grass Court Grit: Bondár has a 2-5 record on grass at the WTA level, with her lone win coming against a player ranked 150th.
- Serve-and-Volley? No. Her serve is solid (2.5 aces per game), but her net game is… well, let’s just say she’s not a fan of sliding into third base.
- Underdog Win Rate: Tennis underdogs win ~30% of the time. Bondár’s implied odds (~9%) suggest she’s a 21% underdog in terms of EV. That’s a 21% discount on chaos.
Odds Expected Value (EV) Breakdown
- Svitolina’s Implied Probability: ~95% (average of 1.04-1.06 odds).
- Bondár’s Implied Probability: ~9% (average of 10.0-13.0 odds).
- Total Implied Probability: 104% (vig included). Adjusted probabilities: Svitolina ~91%, Bondár ~9%.
- EV for Bondár: If her actual win rate is 30% (vs. implied 9%), her EV is +210%. But…
The LWOT Verdict
While Bondár’s EV is tantalizing, Svitolina’s 91% adjusted probability and 30%+ edge in grass-court experience make her the safer bet. Plus, the LWOT team’s unanimous pick isn’t just a groupthink moment—it’s a calculated risk.
Best Bet: Elina Svitolina (-6.5 sets) @ 1.83
- Why? The spread (-6.5) gives Svitolina a 6.5-game cushion. Given her 65%+ first-serve percentage on grass and Bondár’s 55% return rate, Svitolina should cruise to a 6-2, 6-3 win (~18.5 total games).
- EV Check: The spread line is tight (1.83-1.91), but Svitolina’s dominance on grass and Bondár’s serve-return struggles tilt the EV in her favor.
Final Thought
Bondár’s 30% underdog win rate is a tempting red herring. Svitolina’s grass pedigree and the LWOT team’s maternal pride (yes, we’re all rooting for the mom) make this a no-brainer. Bet the favorite, savor the spread, and hope Bondár serves into the net at least once.
“It’s not a shocker if she wins,” said no LWOT analyst ever.
Pick: Elina Svitolina (-6.5) in 2 sets.
Created: June 29, 2025, 4:47 p.m. GMT