2021 US Open Second Round – Elise Mertens vs Valentini Grammatikopoulou Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
Where is Elise Mertens vs Valentini Grammatikopoulou taking place? Elise Mertens vs Valentini Grammatikopoulou will take place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New York, USA
When is Elise Mertens vs Valentini Grammatikopoulou on and what time does it start? Wednesday 1st September, 2021 – not before 16:00 (UK)
What surface is Elise Mertens vs Valentini Grammatikopoulou being played on? Elise Mertens vs Valentini Grammatikopoulou will take place on an outdoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for Elise Mertens vs Valentini Grammatikopoulou? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Elise Mertens vs Valentini Grammatikopoulou
What channel is Elise Mertens vs Valentini Grammatikopoulou 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 Valentini Grammatikopoulou
Where can I stream Elise Mertens vs Valentini Grammatikopoulou in the UK? Amazon Prime subscribers may be able to stream Elise Mertens vs Valentini Grammatikopoulou live via their platform
THE LOWDOWN
15th seed Elise Mertens would have expected the fight in-form Rebecca Peterson put up in their first round match on Monday but the Belgian still did well to come back from a set down. Mertens saved match points against the Swede in a result that should bolster her resolve in New York in what has been an excellent season so far. The 25-year-old won her sixth WTA title earlier this year at the Gippsland Trophy and both the Australian Open and Wimbledon in Women’s Doubles. Greek newcomer Valentini Grammatikopoulou beat Anna Blinkova in straight sets in her first ever Grand Slam after qualifying well with three, three-set matches over the weekend. The 24-year-old has spent the majority of her career so far in the ITF circuit.
THE PREDICTION
There are few things more dangerous in these early rounds of a Grand Slam than a debutant with momentum behind them. Valentini Grammatikopoulou’s straight-sets defeat of an experienced competitor in Anna Blinkova on Monday gives her the emotional edge in this first meeting with Elise Mertens. The Greek will be well backed as a severe underdog here against the 15th seed but Mertens should have enough tournament nous about her to overcome it. The clear thing to do is to opt for Mertens to win outright here but there is the scent of a huge upset about this match that could make taking Grammatikopoulou to win a set here the shrewd move.
