Peyton Stearns vs Elise Mertens Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Qatar Open

Prediction published on 10/02/2024, 01:57  by Nella Wagah | Modified on 11/02/2024 at 22:00 in WTA Qatar Open Prediction

Peyton Stearns and Elise Mertens, both unseeded, will square off in the first round at the Qatar Open. The winner will then set up a second-round showdown with either Emma Navarro or Jasmine Paolini. Peyton Stearns is seeking her first win of the season. The American has had a disappointing start to the year and has lost all three matches she has so far contested. She will be hoping the almost one-month break since her last outing will have allowed her to reset. Stearns was last on the court at the Australian Open where she suffered a first-round exit. The 22-year-old’s poor start to the year has seen her tumble down the WTA rankings. She has dropped nine places and is now ranked 63rd in the live ranking.

Elise Mertens is having a strong start to the year. This has seen her get closer to ranking amongst the WTA top 20 once again. The Belgian has moved up two places in the live ranking and is placed at number 24. A former Doha champion, Mertens will be confident of another deep run in a competition she has had tremendous success. The 28-year-old triumphed here in 2019 and in the four times she has participated in Doha, has never lost a first-round tie. Mertens has won seven of 11 matches so far this year and produced a runner-up finish in Hobart. She is coming off a quarterfinal exit in Linz.