Two-time Eastbourne champion Karolina Pliskova will square off against World No. 28 Elise Mertens in the first round of the 2023 WTA Eastbourne International on Monday, June 26. Get the predictions and odds of this Karolina Pliskova v Elise Mertens match along with its preview, head-to-head, and tips here.
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Karolina Pliskova v Elise Mertens Head to Head
Karolina Pliskova leads Elise Mertens 2-1 in their head-to-head. Pliskova won their only meeting on grass the 2019 Eastbourne International in straight sets. She went on to win the title.
Also Read:
Pliskova Begins Quest for Third Eastbourne Title
Karolina Pliskova could win a hat-trick of titles in the UK’s south coast if she can emerge triumphant at the end of the week.
Pliskova has made three finals in Eastbourne, hoisting the title in 2017 and 2019 – in the latter, she did not lose a set all week.
The Czech is also a former finalist at Wimbledon – the ultimate spectacle of grass-court tennis, so this is a surface she can profit from immeasurably in the next few weeks starting with a first-round match against Elise Mertens.
Last week she played fellow Czech Petra Kvitova in a marquee first-round match in Berlin. Pliskova was soundly beaten by her accomplished compatriot who would go on to lift the 31st WTA title of her career.
While she won’t be too down on herself, Pliskova has not forged any sort of momentum on grass heading to Wimbledon. And she’s run out of matches and tournaments as Eastbourne will serve as the last preparatory tournament before the third Grand Slam of the season.
Also Read:
Mertens Reached Second Week at Roland Garros
Elise Mertens wasn’t many people’s pick to reach the second week of the French Open, but the Belgian equaled her career-best result at Roland Garros by eliminating third seed Jessica Pegula in the third round.
Mertens couldn’t scale past Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova though as her campaign ended with a three-set defeat. The 27-year-old took a medical timeout in that match for an issue on her left hip.
Mertens hasn’t been seen anywhere in action since, opting to rest in the first two weeks of the grass-court season.
Injury or not, there won’t be too much expectation for Mertens to make any lasting impressions at this tournament. The furthest she has been in Eastbourne is the round of 16.
But of significance, Mertens will need to accumulate as many minutes as possible before Wimbledon where she has made the fourth round twice in her career.
Pliskova v Mertens Prediction and Tip
A tough opener awaits Mertens who hasn’t played in three weeks. So it is far from ideal preparation. In addition, Pliskova is one the most successful players at this event and a more proficient grass courter.
Tips:
- Low Risk Tip: Pliskova to win: 8/11
- Moderate Risk Tip: Pliskova to win in straight sets: 13/8
The 2023 WTA Eastbourne International will be played from June 25 to July 1. 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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