WTA Linz Open 2020 Final: Aryna Sabalenka vs Elise Mertens Preview, Head-to-Head and Prediction

WTA Linz Open 2020 Final: Aryna Sabalenka vs Elise Mertens Preview, Head-to-Head and Prediction
Aryna Sabalenka (left) to face Elise Mertens (right) in the final

The much-awaited final of the WTA Linz Open 2020 is finally here. The final pits longtime doubles partners, i.e, Aryna Sabalenka against Elise Mertens. Both will look for that one final push they need to get over the line and claim that coveted title.

Match Details:

  • Date: 15th November 2020
  • Tournament: WTA Linz Open 2020
  • Fixture: Aryna Sabalenka vs Elise Mertens
  • Category: Final 
  • Venue: Linz, Austria
  • Surface: Indoor Hard-Court
  • Prize Money: Approx. $202,250

Aryna Sabalenka vs Elise Mertens: Match Preview

Aryna Sabalenka

Top seed Aryna Sabalenka extended her winning streak to 8, after beating down a resilient Barbora Krejcikova in the semifinals. In a nerve-wracking three-setter, Sabalenka survived an onslaught from the Czech, winning the match 7-5, 4-6, 6-3, to seal her spot in the finals. The Belarusian will look for her third title win of the year in Austria, which will tie her will Simona Halep for most won this season.

Belgium’s Elise Mertens booked her spot in the finals by defeating 2018 runner-up Ekaterina Alexandrova in the semifinals. Mertens won the tough three-setter 6-2, 1-6, 5-7. The Belgian has played some fine tennis since the tours restarted in August. She reached the Prague Open final and the Western & Southern Open semifinals before securing a quarterfinal spot at the US Open. Mertens will be looking for her first singles title at Linz, while playing against her doubles partner.

FS Video

Aryna Sabalenka vs Elise Mertens: Head-to-Head

Elise Mertens

Sabalenka and Mertens have faced each other 5 times before this clash at Linz. Sabalenka leads her finals opponent 3-2 on head-to-head. Their latest clash came at the Dubai Duty-Free Championship 2020, here, Sabalenka came on top beating Mertens 6-4, 6-3. Mertens will look to restore parity in the Finals en route to her first single titles win.

Aryna Sabalenka vs Elise Mertens: Match Prediction

Sabalenka to win the title

Elise Mertens’ path to finals hasn’t been an easy one. She had to play 3 lengthy three-setter in her past 4 matches. So the fatigue-factor might be an advantage for her opponent. But don’t count Mertens out just yet, her persistence might just help the Belgian in winning the title.

Sabalenka, on the other hand, had an opposite experience on her road to the final. She had to just endure one three-setter, in her semifinals. Sabalenka has been breezing past her opponents and will surely look to win her 3rd title of the year in Austria.

Match Prediction: Sabalenka win will the final and deny Mertens her first singles title.

Also Read: Serena Williams to drop out of the top 10 rankings yet again, courtesy Aryna Sabalenka