World number 36 Sloane Stephens will face the 32nd-ranked Elise Mertens in the first round of the 2023 San Diego Open on Monday, September 11. Get the predictions and odds of this Sloane Stephens v Elise Mertens match along with its preview, head to head, and tips here.
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Sloane Stephens v Elise Mertens Head to Head
There have been two previous meetings between these two players and both have won one apiece. Both matches, however, came in 2018.
Also Read:
Stephens Coming off Opening Loss in US Open
While Stephens looked to have made a good dash of it in the lead-up to the US Open, having reached the third round at each of the previous three hardcourt competitions she featured in, in August, her US Open journey was ended early.
Stephens was unlucky with her draw though having had to face a top-20 player in Beatriz Haddad Maia in her very first round there.
And while the American gave a good account of her own self in that opener, pushing Haddad Maia to a third set, it was a late break of serve in the decider that put paid to her chances.
Overall though, Stephens enters this tournament on the back of nine wins to 12 defeats in hardcourt competitions this season. She has managed to remain in the top 40 of the WTA Rankings thanks to her performances on clay on which she has won 13 out of the 18 matches she has been a part of, including a WTA 125 title win.
Can she get past a player who is struggling for form in recent times with bet365 offering 10/11 for her win?
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Mertens Overturns Poor Form at US Open
Mertens had gone into the US Open two weeks ago ranked 32nd in the world and staring at the wrong end of the barrel as far as her form goes.
Fortunately for her, she did put up a strong, fighting display which helped her overcome Mirjam Bjorklund and Danielle Collins in three sets to reach the third round. Mertens faced the eventual finalist Cori Gauff in the third and while she managed to take a set off her American opponent, she was unable to finish it off.
What these performances would have done though is give Mertens that confidence she still belongs.
Once ranked 12th in the world, Mertens has slid down the rankings hole on a regular basis but will now have a chance to consolidate on her top 30 ranking. A first round opponent like Stephens isn’t the easiest but you expect that in a WTA 500 event.
Mertens starts off 10/11 (at bet365) to win this.
Stephens v Mertens Prediction and Tip
Not much to choose between these two but with Mertens putting up the kind of fights she has in recent times we have to say she won’t be going down without a tussle. A three-set win expected for her.
Tips:
- Moderate Risk Tip: Mertens to win: 10/11 (with bet365)
- High Risk Tip: Mertens to win in three sets: 3/1 (with bet365)
The 2023 San Diego Open will be played from September 11 to 17. You can get all the tennis betting news with our tennis betting blog here. Also get rest of the tennis match previews here.
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