2021 US Open Round of 16 – Elise Mertens vs Aryna Sabalenka Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
Where is Elise Mertens vs Aryna Sabalenka taking place? Elise Mertens vs Aryna Sabalenka will take place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New York, USA
When is Elise Mertens vs Aryna Sabalenka on and what time does it start? Sunday 5th September, 2021 – not before 19:15 (UK)
What surface is Elise Mertens vs Aryna Sabalenka being played on? Elise Mertens vs Aryna Sabalenka will take place on an outdoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for Elise Mertens vs Aryna Sabalenka? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Elise Mertens vs Aryna Sabalenka
What channel is Elise Mertens vs Aryna Sabalenka on in the UK? Amazon have exclusive rights to show the 2021 US Open in the UK so it is worth checking the Amazon Prime Video app on smart TVs for Elise Mertens vs Aryna Sabalenka
Where can I stream Elise Mertens vs Aryna Sabalenka in the UK? Amazon Prime subscribers may be able to stream Elise Mertens vs Aryna Sabalenka live via their platform
THE LOWDOWN
World number two Aryna Sabalenka looks in the right mood for another deep run at a Grand Slam after defeating Danielle Collins in straight sets late on Friday night. The 23-year-old made the semi-finals of Wimbledon in July before defeat to Karolina Pliskova but her desire to hit the ball harder than anyone else on tour comes into its own on a hard court, especially these faster US Open courts. Sabalenka has won two WTA titles this season at the Abu Dhabi Open and Madrid Masters. 25-year-old Elise Mertens claimed one of her biggest wins of the year over Ons Jabeur who, despite being ranked lower than the Belgian, has been the better player this season. At least in the Singles, as world number 16 Mertens has won two Grand Slam Women’s Doubles titles this year at the Australian Open and Wimbledon. Mertens won the Gippsland Trophy earlier this year to add to her now six career WTA titles.
THE PREDICTION
Elise Mertens and Aryna Sabalenka won this year’s Australian Open Women’s Doubles title together as well as four other Doubles titles, including the 2019 US Open no less, but their friendship will have to be put to one side on Sunday. Mertens beat Sabalenka to win the 2018 Lugano Open in their first ever meeting but Sabalenka has enjoyed the tiger’s share of their meetings since, returning the favour to beat Mertens in the Linz Open final last season. The Belarussian leads their head-to-head record 5-2 having won each of the last four encounters, including earlier this season on her wat to the Madrid Open title. Sabalenka’s game can sometimes completely disappear for half a set and Mertens will have to be ready to make the most of that phenomenon if it appears but take the world number two to win outright here in what could well go to three.
