WTA Dubai Open 2021: Elise Mertens vs Fiona Ferro -Preview, Head-to-Head and Predictions

Elise Mertens will take on Fiona Ferro in the First Round of the Dubai Open 2021. Mertens is currently the World no.18 on the WTA rankings and Ferro is the World no.46. 

Match Details

• Tournament: WTA Dubai Open 2021
• Match:  Elise Mertens vs Fiona Ferro
• Round: First Round
• Date: 8th March, 2021
• Prize Money: $1,835,490
• Venue: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Surface: Outdoor Hard Court

 Elise Mertens vs Fiona Ferro : Preview

Mertens has had a great return to tour post lockdown. In the singles game, she reached the final in both the Linz Open and the Gippsland Trophy. She even reached the fourth round of the Australian Open. But her biggest return has been in the doubles game where she won her second Grand Slam Trophy this year at the Australian Open 2021 partnering Aryna Sabalenka.

Her first round opponent is Fiona Ferro. Ferro has done decently in the slams in this season. She reached the fourth round of the French Open and the Quarter Finals of the US Open, and she was ousted in  the semifinals of the still ongoing Lyon Open. 

 Elise Mertens vs Fiona Ferro: Head-to-Head 

These two players have met twice on the tour and both have won one match each. So the head to head stands at 1-1. Their last encounter was in Wimbledon 2019 which Mertens won 6-2 6-0. 

 Elise Mertens vs Fiona Ferro: Prediction 

Mertens is most comfortable playing from the baseline. Her backhand and movements are her biggest assets. Her serve though not the most forceful is very consistent.

Ferro has improved her game substantially in the last couple of years. Her best attribute aside from her forehand remains her mental strength, and she has publicly talked about working on it. 

Match Prediction:  Elise Mertens will beat Fiona Ferro in three sets. 

Also read: WTA Dubai Open 2021: Coco Gauff vs Ekaterina Alexandrova -Preview, Head-to-Head and Predictions