Katie Volynets vs Elise Mertens Preview & Prediction | 2026 China Open | Second Round

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Katie Volynets faces Elise Mertens in the second-round of the China Open.

Ranking points: WTA 1000

Start date/time: 3 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 Katie Volynets vs Elise Mertens ticket information

Katie Volynets vs Elise Mertens prediction

Katie Volynets began her China Open campaign with a straight sets win over Robin Montgomery. It was not a polished performance from Volynets, but she broke at the end of both sets to win 7-5 7-5. The American advanced to the quarter-finals in Seoul last week and also won a WTA 125 title in Philadelphia towards the end of August.

She will now face Elise Mertens for a place in round three. The Belgian began her Asian swing in Singapore as the defending champion, but she failed to win retain her title after a quarter-final loss to Roland Garros finalist Maja Chwalinska. Her most impressive result of the campaign was a second Grand Slam quarter-final appearance after her run at Wimbledon, while she also progressed to the final of the Monterrey Open, losing to Diane Parry.

Mertens leads the head-to-head 1-0 after a straight sets win at the Canada Open two years ago. Volynets is competitive on a hard court, but the Belgian is the firm favourite to advance.

Katie Volynets vs Elise Mertens tip: Elise Mertens to win