Elena Rybakina vs Elise Mertens Prediction, Tips, Odds: 12/8/2025

Ninth seed Elena Rybakina and 19th seed Elise Mertens are set to meet in the WTA Cincinnati Open, marking their second encounter at this tournament and their seventh overall. Rybakina has dominated their head-to-head record, claiming five wins from six matches, including all four played on hard courts. The Kazakh star also won their previous Cincinnati clash in straight sets and comes into this match riding a four-match winning streak over the Belgian.

Form and Momentum

Rybakina enters the match aiming to surpass the quarterfinal stage in Cincinnati for the first time. She showed her resilience in the previous round, recovering from a set down to defeat Renata Zarazua. Her 2025 campaign has been strong, with a 38–15 record and 22 victories on hard courts. Currently ranked 10th in the live standings, she’s proving to be one of the most consistent performers on tour this year.

Mertens also had to dig deep in her opener, coming from behind to beat qualifier Clervie Ngounoue. A quarterfinalist here in 2018, the Belgian has enjoyed a productive season, winning titles in Singapore and Hertogenbosch and finishing runner-up in Hobart. Her consistent results have pushed her to 21st in the live rankings, with a 30–14 record in 2025.

Key Factors and Head-to-Head Stats

• Rybakina dominance: Five wins from six meetings, all four hard-court encounters going in her favor.
• Straight-sets trend: Their last five matches have been decided in straight sets.
• Top 10 struggles for Mertens: She has lost seven of eight matches against top 10 opponents this season.

Prediction

Bookmakers give Rybakina a 64.97% chance of victory (odds 1.45 via Betway), while Mertens has a 35.03% chance (odds 3.00 via Bet365). Given Rybakina’s commanding head-to-head record, hard-court prowess, and Mertens’ struggles against elite opponents, another straight-sets win for the Kazakh looks likely.

Prediction: Rybakina to win in straight sets.