Match Details :
Fixture: (5) Aryna Sabalenka vs (26) Elise Mertens.
Date: 21 January 2023.
Tournament: Australian Open 2023.
Round: Third round (Round of 32).
Venue: Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia.
Category: Grand Slam.
Surface: Hard.
Prize Money: A$76,500,000.
Live telecast: USA – ESPN | UK – Eurosport | India – Sony Six, Sony Ten & Sony Liv.
Aryna Sabalenka vs Elise Mertens preview
Saturday’s 2023 Australian Open third round will include former doubles partners Aryna Sabalenka and Elise Mertens.
Sabalenka faced Shelby Rogers in the second round after defeating Tereza Martincova in straight sets. The Belarusian recovered from a 3-1 deficit in the first set. She won the set with five straight games.
Second set was even worse. To start, Rogers held Sabalenka’s serve. The World No. 5 broke her opponent three times to win 6-3, 6-1.
Mertens played two-time Grand Slam champion and Australian Open runner-up Garbine Muguruza in the opening round. Her three-set win set up a second-round match against Lauren Davis.
Mertens tied the opening set after Davis led 2-0. The Belgian broke in the eighth game of the set and easily served it out. They were even until midway through the second set. Mertens won 6-4, 6-3 with four straight games.
Aryna Sabalenka vs. Elise Mertens head-to-head
Eight times they’ve fought. Sabalenka leads 6-2. She won the 2021 US Open.
Elise Mertens-Aryna Sabalenka odds
| Player | Moneyline | Handicap Bets | Total Games |
| Aryna Sabalenka | -500 | +1.5 (-1400) | Over 20.5 (-105) |
| Elise Mertens | +333 | -1,5 (+600) | Under 20.5 (-135) |
Elise Mertens-Aryna Sabalenka prediction
2023 Australian Open: Elise Mertens.
Sabalenka seized control after a rocky second round. After falling behind, she overpowered Rogers. After winning the Adelaide International 1 two weeks prior, this was her sixth consecutive triumph.
Sabalenka’s serve has improved this season as she didn’t hit a double fault in the previous round. The match improved her ball-striking.
Mertens played well against Davis in the second round despite her recent struggles. Her defence was strong and her serving was good.
Sabalenka and Mertens are buddies off the court and have won together. They’ve won two Grand Slam doubles titles and are well acquainted. Belarus has won five straight. Her current form suggests a continued winning streak.
Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets.
