Elise Mertens vs Ann Li

Elise Mertens vs Ann Li – Wimbledon 2025 Preview

Tournament: Wimbledon, WTA Main Draw – 2nd Round

Date: July 3, 2025

Surface: Grass

Location: All England Club, London

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🧠 Form & Context

Elise Mertens

• 🎯 Opened strong: Dispatched Linda Fruhvirtová 6-4, 6-2 in R1, continuing a solid grass campaign.
• 🏆 Grass court champion: Claimed the title in Rosmalen just weeks ago—her 10th WTA singles trophy.
• 📈 Overall form: 27–12 in 2025, with notable results including a title in Singapore and a final in Hobart.
• 📍 Wimbledon past: Has reached at least R3 in 5 of her last 6 main draws, including R16 twice (2019, 2022).
• 🔂 Recent meeting: Beat Li decisively in this year’s Singapore final (6-1, 6-4), controlling the match from start to finish.

Ann Li

• ⏱️ Gritty opener: Overcame Wimbledon 2021 quarterfinalist Golubic in three sets—6-3, 4-6, 6-1—for her first main draw win here since 2022.
• 📊 Mid-tier momentum: Reached QF in Rabat and R3 in Madrid, but has struggled to make consistent main draw impacts.
• 🌱 Grass limitations: 2–2 on grass this swing and only 9–16 lifetime on the surface.
• ⚠️ Poor record vs elites: Just 2 career top-50 wins on grass and a 0–3 record against top-25 players in 2025.
• 🧱 Underdog role: Despite recent flashes, lacks the tools to disrupt Mertens’ baseline rhythm or expose her movement.

🔍 Match Breakdown

This is a rematch of the Singapore final, and the dynamic is unlikely to shift on grass. Mertens has superior court IQ, a more reliable backhand, and far more experience in handling tricky conditions—especially at the Slams.

Ann Li has improved her rally tolerance and net instincts, but she’s often overpowered or outmaneuvered by players with steadier depth and variation. Grass rewards first-strike tennis, but it also rewards consistency—and that's Mertens' game in a nutshell.

Li might try to flatten out the ball and rush Mertens into awkward court positions, but the Belgian's recent title run and clean R1 win suggest she’s well in rhythm.

🔮 Prediction

The matchup doesn’t favor Ann Li on any axis—surface, form, experience, or tactical pattern. Unless Mertens completely misfires or fails to find her rhythm, this should be a straight-set passage.

Prediction: Mertens in 2 sets, potentially with a tight first set before she takes control.