Elise Mertens vs Donna Vekic Prediction, Picks, Odds, H2H, Stats - 10/7/24

The main draw is filled with the conclusion of qualifying for the Wuhan Open this weekend, and a section 1 clash between Elise Mertens and Donna Vekic kickoff the Monday slate of WTA action.

Donna Vekic carries the 15-seed in section 1 and the bracket sets up nicely for a potential battle with Aryna Sabalenka in the third round. The Croatian native has to get past a tough opponent  Elise Mertens on Monday in China and the line setters expect this to be a tight affair.

At -135, Vekic is the slight favorite to advance in this WTA1000 event in Wuhan but Mertens will not go quietly into the night. 

EJ Garr’s Elise Mertens vs Donna Vekic prediction is for a lengthy battle that goes the distance so enjoy the +143 odds on his offer.

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Elise Mertens vs Donna Vekic Prediction: We’re Going the Distance!

• Prediction: Match Total Over 2.5 Sets
• Best Odds: +143
• Bookmaker: Pinnacle
• Stakes: 3/10

Odds updated at 7:00 am UK Time on October 7, 2024. 

Donna Vekic arrives at Wuhan as a -135 favorite to get past Mertens but I have a feeling that the Belgian will give her Croatian opponent a battle today.

This opening round match is going the distance, and I will tell you why.

Let’s start by saying that either of these ladies has a lick of confidence coming into Wuhan.

The loss to Bucsa in Beijing last week leaves Mertens with questions she needs to answer immediately because that simply shouldn’t have happened. 

The loss to Eva Lys in Tunisia was another loss that left me shaking my head so one would think Vekic should ease past Mertens, right? 

That was my first thought, too, and then I started thinking more about Vekic since the Olympics. The loss to Ashlyn Krueger in Cincinnati was stunning after Vekic looked so good in Paris and the last outing in Beijing. A loss to Mirra Andreeva after one win isn’t building any confidence for Vekic which makes question her focus in Wuhan.

The line at -135 for the Croatian to win this match tells me this is more a coinflip than the line setters want to reveal. Mertens will win a set in this match, which will pressure Vekic to respond and advance in three sets.

The 2 – 1 correct score for Vekic is listed at +340 so if you are in the mood, test the water and make a little investment on that prop along with the Over 2.5 Sets at +143.

ELISE MERTENS RECENT FORM

Elise Mertens starts the week ranked 29 on the WTA Tour and is coming off a poor showing at Beijing. As a -175 favorite, a loss to Cristina Bucsa was a lousy effort for the Belgian who is 2 – 3 over the last 5 outings.

Mertens is 17 – 14 on hard courts this season and holds a 26 – 23 record in 2024. Elise has produced a winning record in every season since 2015 so she’ll need a strong finish to continue that streak. 

DONNA VEKIC RECENT FORM

Donna Vekic is ranked 20th on the WTA Tour and since the Silver Medal win in Paris the Croatian is 4 – 3 over the last 7 outings.

Vekic is 13 – 10 on hard courts this year and with a winning record on all three surfaces her record is 31 – 19 in 2024.

MERTENS VS VEKIC H2H –  STAT OF THE MATCH

Elise Mertens and Donna Vekic have only met once at the Hopman Cup in 2023. Mertens earned the win in straight sets at 2 and 2.

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