Sloane Stephens vs Elise Mertens Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA San Diego Open

Prediction published on 11/09/2023, 10:41  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 11/09/2023 at 11:41 in Tennis Predictions

Elise Mertens faces Sloane Stephens in the first round of the San Diego Open. The winner of this match takes on second seeded Caroline Garcia in the next round of this outdoor hard court tournament.  Mertens is 29th in the latest rankings list, a rise of three places after reaching the last 32 in the US Open. The Belgian lost to eventual winner Cori Gauff but did win the first set against her. Mertens did at least win two matches in the final Grand Slam of the year, including a win over Danielle Collins who was ranked 34th at the time. Her form hasn't been that consistent in recent months though with more success coming on the doubles court where she's ranked third in the world. Mertens has only reached one semi-final this year. That was in Monterrey where beaten by Caroline Garcia, so possibly some revenge for her in the next round if winning this match.

These two players have had a couple of previous meetings. Both were in 2018 and played on this hard court surface. Mertens won in Cincinnati but Stephens won their match in the US Open. Both players were ranked a lot higher then than they are now. Stephens was the third seed five years ago but begins this San Diego Open in 36th place in the rankings. The American lost in the first round of the US Open this year, being beaten in three sets by Beatriz Haadad-Maia. Before that she reached the last eight in Cleveland and had a win over Garcia in Cincinnati. This looks like being a close match and we go for over 21.5 games to be played.a