Jelena Ostapenko vs Elise Mertens Preview & Prediction | 2026 China Open | Third Round

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Jelena Ostapenko faces Elise Mertens at the China Open.

Ranking points: WTA 1000

Start date/time: 5 October 2026 at 3:00 am

Venue: National Tennis Center, Beijing, China

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 Jelena Ostapenko vs Elise Mertens ticket information

Jelena Ostapenko vs Elise Mertens prediction

Jelena Ostapenko began her campaign in Beijing with a hard-fought victory over former world number two Paula Badosa. The 2017 French Open champion was 5-3 down in both sets but fought back to win 7-6 (5) 7-5. She improved her record to 4-2 in the head-to-head against Badosa. The Latvian will now face Elise Mertens for a place in the round-of-16.

Mertens edged past Katie Volynets in three sets to set up a meeting with Ostapenko. The Belgian breezed through the first set and opened up a 4-1 lead in the second, but Volynets raised her game and reeled off five games in a row to level the match. Mertens would break late in the decider to win 6-0 4-6 7-5. 

Ostapenko leads the head-to-head 1-0, but they have not faced each other since 2019. Both players experienced fluctuating levels in the previous round, and neither looks entirely convincing heading into this encounter.

Jelena Ostapenko vs Elise Mertens tip: Over 21.5 games