Elise Mertens vs Arantxa Rus Prediction & Betting Tips - Hobart International

Prediction published on 10/01/2024, 11:10  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 10/01/2024 at 12:10 in Tennis Predictions

Elise Mertens is the top seed for the Hobart International and faces unseeded Arantxa Rus in the quarter finals. The winner takes on either third seed Lin Zhu or wild card Daria Savile in the last four. Mertens has won the Jasmin Open in Tunisia for the past two years but her last WTA singles title away from that tournament was in 2021. The Belgian is up to 28th in the live rankings but is better known these days for her doubles results where she's currently ranked second. Mertens played in the Brisbane International last week and lost in her second match. Sloane Stephens was beaten in three sets but then Mertens only won one game against Elena Rybakina who went on to win the tournament. The 28-year-old has had to play two matches to get to this last eight. Danielle Collins and Anna Schmeidlova have both been beaten by a 6-2 6-3 scoreline.

Arantxa Rus has risen to 45th in the live rankings and that's only four places below her career high.  A win over Mertens can see that best equalled but to do so a first has to be achieved. The Dutch player has never beaten Mertens with two losses but both were played nine years ago. Rus only won one set in those matches and lost two sets without winning a game. This year has seen the 33-year-old play for the Netherlands in the United Cup with Malene Helgo beaten but she lost to Donna Vekic. One target for her at present is to arrive at the Australian Open in good form. Her last 12 first round matches in Grand Slam events have all ended in defeat. This week has been good preparation with a come-from-behind win over Linda Fruhvirtova and then beating eighth seeded Varvara Gracheva in straight sets. This could be a close match but we go for Mertens to win.