Elise Mertens vs McCartney Kessler Preview & Prediction | 2025 China Open | Second Round

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Elise Mertens faces McCartney Kessler for a place in the third-round of the China Open.
Ranking points: WTA 1000
Start date/time:
Venue: National Tennis Center, Beijing, China
Surface: Outdoor hard
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports Tennis / US – Tennis Channel
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Tennis Channel
Tickets: Visit this link for the latest Elise Mertens vs McCartney Kessler ticket information
Elise Mertens vs McCartney Kessler prediction
Elise Mertens suffered a surprising defeat in the second-round of the Guadalajara Open as the top seed a fortnight ago. She was defeated by Elsa Jacquemot despite going a set up. Nevertheless, Mertens does have two titles to her name this season and reached another final. She received a bye in the first-round.
McCartney Kessler is her opponent in round two. The American advanced after a straight sets victory over Han Shi. She was broken when serving for the match in the second but squeezed past the Chinese player in a close tiebreak to win 6-2 7-6.
Kessler leads the head-to-head 1-0 after causing an upset in the final of the Hobart International right at the start of the year as she defeated Mertens, the second seed, in the final. She will take confidence from that victory as she prepares to face the Belgian once more. Mertens’s form has taken a dip recently and we think she will find it tough against Kessler.
Elise Mertens vs McCartney Kessler tip: Both players to win a set