Aryna Sabalenka vs Elise Mertens – Third Round – Preview & Prediction | 2023 Australian Open
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
THE FACTS
When is Aryna Sabalenka vs Elise Mertens on and what time does it start? Aryna Sabalenka vs Elise Mertens will take place on Saturday 21st January, 2023 – not before 03:15 (UK)
Where is Aryna Sabalenka vs Elise Mertens taking place? Aryna Sabalenka vs Elise Mertens will take place at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia
What surface is Aryna Sabalenka vs Elise Mertens being played on? Aryna Sabalenka vs Elise Mertens will take place on an outdoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for Aryna Sabalenka vs Elise Mertens? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Aryna Sabalenka vs Elise Mertens
What channel is Aryna Sabalenka vs Elise Mertens on in the UK? Aryna Sabalenka vs Elise Mertens will be televised live on Eurosport
Where can I stream Aryna Sabalenka vs Elise Mertens in the UK? Eurosport subscribers can stream Aryna Sabalenka vs Elise Mertens live on their website, while Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match live on Sky Go
THE LOWDOWN
World number five Aryna Sabalenka is fast-becoming the clearest challenger to world number one Iga Swiatek at the Australian Open, whom she beat in three sets at the WTA Finals last November before finishing runner-up to Caroline Garcia. The 24-year-old is riding a six-match winning streak into the third round after a comfortable victory over Shelby Rogers on Thursday after winning her 11th WTA title at Adelaide 1 two weeks ago. Sabalenka has reached the semi-finals of the US Open in each of the last two seasons but she has yet to make it past the round of 16 in Melbourne.
THE PREDICTION
World number 32 Elise Mertens ended Hobart champion Lauren Davis’ winning streak with a comfortable straight-sets result on Thursday. The 27-year-old won the WTA Finals Women’s Doubles title with Veronika Kudermetova last November and the former Australian Open doubles champion has started a promising campaign here in Melbourne alongside Storm Hunter. Her singles form was poor, though, coming into the Australian Open but, remarkably, the Belgian has lost just once at this stage of the tournament – reaching the semi-finals on her debut in 2018 and the round of 16 in each of her last three appearances. Sabalenka looks well capable of ending that run for Mertens as she leads the Belgian 6-2 in their head-to-head after taking each of their last four meetings in straight sets. Back the Belarussian to win in two once again, although an outright pick would be wise for an accumulator.
