Elise Mertens vs Nikola Bartunkova Preview & Prediction | 2026 Australian Open | Third Round
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Elise Mertens faces Nikola Bartunkova in the third-round of 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 Elise Mertens vs Nikola Bartunkova ticket information
Elise Mertens vs Nikola Bartunkova prediction
Elise Mertens continued her progress at the Australian Open as she defeated Moyuka Uchijima in straight sets to make the third-round. The Belgian did not make the best of starts as she was broken in her first two service games, but she dropped just one game after that as she went on to win 6-3 6-1. Mertens reached the semi-finals here in 2018, her best run at a Grand Slam.
She will now face Nikola Bartunkova. The young Czech pulled off arguably the biggest upset of the tournament so far as she ended Belinda Bencic’s unbeaten start to the season with a marvellous win. She made a strong start and despite falling away in the second set, regrouped and held her nerve to win 6-3 0-6 6-4 after two hours and 12 minutes.
Mertens will be the heavy favourite, but Bartunkova cannot be counted out after such a statement victory, and she will be full of confidence for this one.
Elise Mertens vs Nikola Bartunkova tip: Over 18.5 games
