Maya Joint vs Elise Mertens Prediction, Picks, Odds, H2H, Stats - 1/9/24

Maya Joint will take on Elise Mertens on Friday at the Hobart International where a place in the finals is at stake. The Belgian native arrives at the semis slightly favored at -150 to reach the final but the Aussie native will not go away without a fight.

Joint has been playing the underdog role this entire event and has relished providing three upset wins in her native Australia this week.

EJ Garr’s prediction for Maya Joint vs Elise Mertens calls for a lengthy battle that will go the distance at odds of +137.

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Maya Joint vs Elise Mertens WTA Hobart International Prediction: A Lengthy Battle For The Final

• Prediction: Match Total Over 2.5 Sets
• Best Odds: +137
• Bookmaker: Pinnacle
• Stakes: 3/10

Odds as of 7:00 am UK Time on January 9, 2024. Odds may now differ.

Maya Joint eased past Sofia Kenin yesterday as I thought she would, and the +125 underdog has been enjoying her time in Australia. I thought Kenin would put up a better fight as I called for the match to go the distance but Joint produced a dominant performance en route to the semis of the Hobart International.

As an underdog again, I expect Joint to give Elise Mertens all she can handle and I don’t trust Mertens to begin with. Being favored doesn’t make Elise Mertens the better tennis player so let’s settle that now.

Being in Australia has motivated Joint this week and the line setters keep disrespecting her so today we will take advantage of it… Again! I have Joint reaching the finals and taking out Mertens in three sets and how about the price for that call?

A +400 is available at BetMGM for Joint to take this match 2 – 1, and that deserves a small play for the action. 

Elise Mertens played the strangest match against Kudermetova in the quarters. With a three-set win, Mertens won the first frame, 6 – 1, and then dropped the second set at 6 to love! A dominant 6 – 2 third set pushed Mertens through to the semis and this is not an uncommon site for the Belgian native. 

There are moments of greatness for Mertens and then she seems to lose focus and let her opponent take back momentum.

I’ll take Joint to find a way to land in the finals at +127, and that correct sets call is the bonus bet!

MAYA JOINT RECENT FORM

Maya Joint entered the week ranked 118th and the Australian native is still only 18 years old. After an impressive 62 – 28 record in 2024, Joint claimed two ITF titles a season ago and has an upward trajectory heading into 2025.

Joint hasn’t dropped more than three games in six sets this week at the Hobart International and the list of opponents isn’t shabby. With straight-set wins over Danilovic, Linette, and Kenin thus far in the event, the Aussie native should Oi Oi Oi her way into the finals.

ELISE MERTENS RECENT FORM

Elise Mertens tends to choke on the biggest stages and this is the point where I will fade the Belgian native.

Mertens was pushed to 4 and 3 against Lucky Loser Renate Zarazua in the second round and I mentioned the wild scoreline from the quarters against Kudermetova.

The 34-year-old veteran on the WTA Tour produced an 18 – 16 record on hard courts last season and has dealt with multiple injuries over the last two years.

JOINT VS MERTENS HTH –  STAT OF THE MATCH

Today’s semifinal clash at the Hobart International marks the first meeting between Joint and Mertens.

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