Elena Rybakina vs Elise Mertens Preview & Prediction | 2026 Australian Open | Round of 16
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2023 finalist Elena Rybakina faces Elise Mertens in the round-of-16 at the Australian Open.
Start date/time:
Venue: Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia
Surface: Outdoor hard
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & Tennis Channel
Tickets: Visit this link for the latest Elena Rybakina vs Elise Mertens ticket information
Elena Rybakina vs Elise Mertens prediction
Elena Rybakina advanced to the round-of-16 after a straight sets win over Tereza Valentova. Despite the result, she was forced to work for her win and needed to save seven out of nine break points during the match. The former Wimbledon champion’s overall firepower proved to be too much, as she won 6-2 6-3 after one hour and 22 minutes. She is yet to drop a set at the tournament.
Rybakina faces Elise Mertens next. The Belgian defeated Nikola Bartunkova in straight sets to advance. Bartunkova had pulled off a shock in the previous round after beating Belinda Bencic and ending her unbeaten start to the season, but she was no match here as Mertens won the first six games and went on to win 6-0 6-4.
Rybakina dominates the head-to-head, leading 5-1 and 4-0 on outdoor hard court. Mertens tends to struggle defensively against the flat hitting of Rybakina, while the Kazakhstani will always win plenty of free points with that serve of hers. She is a clear favourite to get through.
Elena Rybakina vs Elise Mertens tip: Elena Rybakina to win 2-0
