On June 5, 2025, Maya Joint will take on Louisa Chirico in the second round of the Makarska Open 2025, held in Makarska, Croatia. This WTA 125K event is contested on outdoor clay courts, offering both players a critical opportunity to advance in the tournament and boost their rankings.
The Louisa Chirico Makarska Open 2025 match preview highlights the contrast between Joint’s current momentum and Chirico’s determination to make a mark on the clay surface.
Performance and Form of the Competitors
Maya Joint enters this match as the tournament’s top seed after an impressive season, including a recent breakthrough victory in Morocco where she claimed her first Tour-level title. During that clay-court tournament, she defeated notable players including Ajla Tomljanovic, Ann Li, and Jaqueline Cristian, showcasing her ability on slower surfaces. Although Joint suffered an early exit at the French Open against Tomljanovic, her overall 30-13 win-loss record this season underscores her consistency and skill.
In the opening round of the Makarska Open, Joint dispatched Ana Konjuh with relative ease, further cementing her status as a frontrunner in the draw.
Louisa Chirico, by comparison, has struggled to find consistent success on the main WTA Tour this season, with only a single main draw victory to her name. However, she has shown promise at the 125K level by beating players such as Maria Carle and Linda Fruhvirtova. Chirico’s recent win over former French Open semifinalist Tamara Zidansek in a fiercely contested two-set match highlights her resilience and capability on clay, bringing her season record to 12 wins and 14 losses.
Previous Head-to-Head Between Joint and Chirico
In their only prior meeting, which took place in Charlottesville in April the previous year, Louisa Chirico secured a straight-set victory over Maya Joint. This history adds an element of challenge and motivation for Joint to even the score in their upcoming clash.
Playing Styles and Tactical Insights
Both players rely heavily on their strong forehands, a weapon that has played a crucial role in their matches on clay courts. Joint has exploited her forehand to control baseline rallies and force opponents into defensive positions, an approach that was pivotal during her title run in Morocco. Additionally, she boasts a powerful serve, winning 70% of points on her first serve, which will be significant on the slower surface to maintain pressure.
Chirico, at 29 years old, is also comfortable on clay, using her exceptional footspeed to cover the court effectively and challenge opponents’ shots. Some of her best performances, including her only WTA 1000 semifinal, have been achieved on red clay, suggesting she will test Joint’s consistency and patience throughout the match.
Expectations and Prediction for the Match Outcome
Given their respective forms and skill sets, this match is expected to be competitive and closely contested. While Chirico’s history and agility present a challenge, Maya Joint’s recent successes and overall momentum give her a distinct advantage going into the encounter. Fans can anticipate a thrilling three-set battle, with Joint favored to emerge victorious.
Prediction: Maya Joint to win the match in three sets.