Jasmine Paolini vs Elise Mertens Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Rome

Prediction published on 08/05/2026, 20:46  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 09/05/2026 at 09:50 in Tennis Predictions

Ninth seed Jasmine Paolini is through to the third round in her Rome title defence, where she will face 21st seed Elise Mertens. This is their seventh career meeting, and we'll be backing Mertens to win in our prediction for this match.

Jasmine Paolini was not in commanding form as she took on Leolia Jeanjean in the second round. In her first hurdle in her title defence, the Italian needed a decider to get past the qualifier, who was debuting at a WTA 1000 event.

That match showed the sort of season that Paolini is having. 2026 has been a troubling year for Paolini, and so far she has compiled an 11-9 record and has yet to make it to a final.

Her subpar performances have affected her world ranking, as in the latest WTA rankings, the 30-year-old has dropped out of the top 10.

Elise Mertens has won four of the previous six meetings with Paolini. She has won both times they have faced off on a clay surface.

The Belgian was in top form in her first match in her return to the Italian capital and won in straights against Panna Udvardy. She has now won 15 of 23 outings and is 4-2 on clay.

The world number 22 is a former Rome quarter-finalist, but has not made it to the second week since that feat in 2020.