World number 18 Elise Mertens will take on the challenge of an inspired comeback from Victoria Azarenka when they face off in the quarterfinal of the 2020 US Open on Wednesday, September 9. The match timing is still to be scheduled. Get the live streaming options of this Elise Mertens v Victoria Azarenka match along with its preview, head to head, and tips here.
Looking to watch the US Open live streaming online?
- For tennis fans in the UK, Europe, Australia & elsewhere go to bet365 > Tennis > Live Streaming here* to watch & bet on the ATP & WTA tennis live.
- All other US Open Live Streaming & TV Options here
[the_ad id=”14063″]
*Geo-restrictions apply & pre-funded account needed
Elise Mertens v Victoria Azarenka Head to Head
This will be the first meeting between the 24-year-old Mertens and the 27th-ranked Azarenka at the highest level.
Also Read:
Mertens Stuns Kenin to Roll Forward
Sofia Kenin was on a 10-match winning streak at Grand Slam tennis but it was Mertens who played like she was just coming off a title of her own. Right from the beginning of their fourth round match, Mertens attacked anything loose from her opponent and ended up needing just 74 minutes to carve out a 6-3, 6-3 win.
On the other hand, Mertens had registered three successive straight-set wins but was facing an opponent of this pedigree for the first time in the tournament – having beaten Laura Siegemund, Sara Torribes Tormo and Caty McNally in the previous three matches.
Which is why we were reasonably sure of a Kenin victory, only for Mertens to burst the bubble!
It was Mertens’ fourth successive straight-set win at the US Open which took her to the quarterfinals, the same stage where she had reached last season. There, she had won lost to the eventual champion Bianca Andreescu but the way she has returned to continue her form and get another chance to make it to her second Grand Slam semifinal has been commendable.
Can it be Mertens this time who goes on to win the title?
[the_ad id=”30344″]
Azarenka Moves Past Muchova
The Cincinnati Open winner from last week, Azarenka looked like she had everything under in her first three rounds, having beaten Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek in straight sets en route reaching round four.
Here, against Karolina Muchova, things didn’t look as rosy to begin with, as she stumbled in the first set but then came back strongly in the next two to win her fourth round match in nearly two and a half hours.
Even in the first set, Azarenka showed her fighting capabilities, as she overcame two breaks of serve to level things at 5-5 only to get broken again and lose set. That first set turnaround, however, kept her in a good stead as Azarenka romped through the second set with ease to level things up.
Breaks of serves were exchanged before Azarenka decisively broke Muchova in seventh game of the final set to go 4-3 up and then served out the match at 5-4.
Can Azarenka continue to sustain this run now against a younger player who has not been troubled at all so far?
Mertens v Azarenka Prediction & Tip
It’s quite interesting to see Azarenka is a favourite here at 4/6 with bet365 while Mertens starts off at 6/5. While Azarenka’s fighting qualities will see her remain in the match we think Mertens has more than a good chance of getting past her opponent and making it to the semifinal.
Tip: Mertens to win: 6/5 (bet365)
[the_ad id=”30513″]
The US Open 2020 will be played from August 31 to September 13. You can watch & bet on the US Open here. Get your latest premium tennis predictions here.
Be the first to comment