Elise Mertens vs Cristina Bucsa Preview & Prediction | 2026 Indian Wells Open (BNP Paribas Open) | Second Round
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Elise Mertens goes up against Cristina Bucsa in the second-round of Indian Wells.
Ranking points: WTA 1000
Start date/time:
Venue: Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Indian Wells, USA
Surface: Outdoor hard
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports Tennis / USA – Tennis Channel
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – Tennis Channel
Tickets: Visit this link for the latest Elise Mertens vs Cristina Bucsa ticket information
Elise Mertens vs Cristina Bucsa prediction
Elise Mertens began the season by making the round-of-16 at the Australian Open, her joint-best result since making the semi-finals in 2018. Mertens last competed in Dubai, facing Coco Gauff in the third-round. She served for the match but ended up losing to the American in three sets, despite having three match points.
Mertens received a bye in the first-round and now faces Cristina Bucsa. The Spaniard extended her winning run to six matches after a win against Darja Vidmanova to book her place in the next stage of the competition. Bucsa went 3-1 down in the first set but then won 11 of the next 12 service games to win 6-4 6-0. She won her first tour-level title at the Merida Open last week.
The head-to-head is locked at 2-2, with all matches having been played on outdoor hard court. Mertens is the favourite, but she will be challenged by an in-form Bucsa.
Elise Mertens vs Cristina Bucsa tip: Both players to win a set
