Women’s Olympic Tennis First Round – Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Elise Mertens Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Elise Mertens taking place? Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Elise Mertens will take place on Sunday 25th July, 2021 at (not before) 03:00 (UK)
Where is Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Elise Mertens taking place? Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Elise Mertens will take place at Ariake Tennis Park in Tokyo
What surface is Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Elise Mertens played on? Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Elise Mertens will be played on hard courts
Where can I get tickets for Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Elise Mertens? There are no tickets for Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Elise Mertens as Olympic Tennis will take place without spectators.
What TV channel is Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Elise Mertens on in the UK? Olympic coverage is shared between BBC and Eurosport so it is worth checking their schedules for Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Elise Mertens
Where can I stream Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Elise Mertens in the UK? If Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Elise Mertens is televised on BBC then it can be streamed live on the BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website & app. If Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Elise Mertens is televised on Eurosport then subscribers can stream the match live on Eurosport Player
THE PREDICTION
World number 34 Ekaterina Alexandrova has enjoyed some success on tour this season with a semi-final and four quarter-finals reached so far but the Russian will be hoping her best form returns after defeat in the second round at Wimbledon last time out. The 26-year-old won her only WTA title to date last year at the Shenzhen Open and will be a difficult first round draw for world number 17 Elise Mertens. The Belgian number one has won two Grand Slams this year in the Women’s Doubles alongside Aryna Sabalenka at the Australian Open and Su-Wei Hsieh at Wimbledon last time out and also won her sixth WTA title at the Gippsland Trophy at the start of the year. The 25-year-old is an excellent competitor on hard courts especially and could be one to watch for a deep run in Tokyo this week.
Alexandrova was the winner in their first meeting two years ago, taking a first round match at s-Hertogenbosch in straight sets on grass but Mertens returned the favour over three sets at Linz last year. This looks like another close battle between the two but Mertens is a force of nature on hard courts and should be able to edge through this as the outright winner.
