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Elise Mertens vs Lulu Sun — US Open 2R Preview
🧠 Form & Context
Elise Mertens (No. 21, age 29)
- 🇧🇪 Veteran Belgian, one of the most reliable early-round Slam performers.
- 📊 2025: 33–16 overall, 14–9 on hard. Titles in Singapore & Hertogenbosch.
- 🔥 USO 1R: Blew past 18-year-old Alyssa Ahn 6–1, 6–0 in just over an hour.
- 🏟️ US Open pedigree: 10th MD appearance, reached R3+ in six of last seven editions, including two QFs.
- ⚠️ Season story: Slow start at majors (AO 2R, RG 1R), but saved it with a Wimbledon R16 run.
Lulu Sun (No. 164, age 24)
- 🇳🇿 Lefty with fearless ball-striking, famously reached Wimbledon QF 2024 from qualifying.
- 📊 2025: 17–22 overall, 8–12 on hard.
- 🔥 USO 1R: Beat Osorio 6–4, 2–6, 6–0 for her first USO MD win.
- ⚠️ Slam trend: Only second time past R1 at a major (after Wimbledon 2024 run).
- 💡 Upset record: 4 career wins over top-30 players (Zheng Qinwen, Raducanu at Wimbledon ‘24, Kasatkina this summer in Eastbourne).
🔍 Match Breakdown
Baseline battle: Mertens brings consistency, depth, and angles. Sun is a first-strike shotmaker, looking to shorten points.
Experience gap: Mertens has 487 career wins and 6 Slam QFs; Sun has only two Slam R2 appearances.
Momentum: Mertens dismantled her R1 opponent with authority; Sun needed three sets, but closed strong.
Upset path: Sun needs her lefty serve and forehand to dictate and break Mertens’ rhythm. But the Belgian’s defense and tactical IQ usually blunt streaky opponents.
🔮 Prediction
Sun’s game can flash hot, but sustaining it over best-of-three against a top-25 veteran is a different story. Mertens’ discipline and Slam experience give her a clear edge, especially in early rounds where she rarely falters. Sun may have a strong set in her, but the Belgian should find solutions.
Pick: Mertens in 2 sets — a competitive opener possible, but expect Mertens to pull away with steadiness.
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