Rybakina vs Mertens

WTA Cincinnati

Elena Rybakina – Elise Mertens

🧠 Form & Context

Elena Rybakina

• ⚡ Survives scare: Needed nearly 2.5 hours to beat Zarazúa 4-6, 6-0, 7-5 in R2.
• 📈 Consistent deep runs: 8 quarterfinals in 2025, including Washington & Montreal, but only 1 title (Strasbourg).
• 🎯 Serve weapon: Fired 14 aces vs Zarazúa, one of the tour’s best first-serve performers.
• 📍 Cincinnati history: QF in 2022, R16 in 2021 & 2023.
• 🔝 Dominance in rivalry: Leads H2H 5–1, winning last 4 meetings in straight sets.

Elise Mertens

• 😅 Narrow escape: Edged past Ngounoue 3-6, 7-6, 7-5 in over 2.5 hours.
• 🏆 Smaller-stage success: Titles in Singapore & Rosmalen, finalist in Hobart; less impact at WTA 1000 level.
• 📊 Hard-court 2025: 11–7, solid but not elite pace.
• 📍 Cincinnati history: Best result QF in 2018, otherwise modest record.
• 🚫 Struggles vs Rybakina’s style: Hasn’t taken a set off her in 4 years.

🔍 Match Breakdown

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🏷️ Labels: WTA Cincinnati, Elena Rybakina, Elise Mertens, Tennis Predictions, Match Preview