Elisabetta Cocciaretto vs Elise Mertens Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA China Open

Prediction published on 27/09/2024, 03:13  by Kennedy Kechula | Modified on 27/09/2024 at 03:16 in Tennis Predictions

Elisabetta Cocciaretto will seek another victory in 2024 over 24th seed Elise Mertens when they battle in Beijing on Saturday. Victory for her in this second-round duel will set up a showdown with Liudmila Samsonova or Cristina Bucsa. We have a prediction for this match.

Cocciaretto defeated Mertens in the first round in Dubai in February via a decider after coming from a set down. The win allowed her to avenge last year’s loss to the Belgian in their first career meeting.

Another victory will be tough here but the Italian is coming off a win and will fancy her chances. Cocciaretto had to once again claw her way from a losing position to win her first-round tie.

She defeated qualifier Arina Rodionova in three sets to improve her record to 26-21. The 23-year-old has also moved up two places, to 53rd in the live ranking.

Elise Mertens begins her tournament with this match, seeking to advance past the second round here for the first time. The Belgian has made four previous appearances in Beijing and lost twice in the second round.

Last year, she exited in the first round. The 28-year-old is ending a two-week break and will be fresher for this duel. She last took to the court at the Jasmin Open.

Mertens suffered a disappointing second-round exit in Monastir, failing to defend her title for a third successive year. A finalist in Hobart earlier in the year, Mertens has had an inconsistent year and so far has compiled a 25-22 record.

The eight-time tour champion starts her tournament ranked 29th in the WTA.