Get ready for an intense showdown between the top two seeds in the highly-anticipated 2023 WTA Monastir Open final. One of these accomplished players is the reigning champion, while the other is striving to clinch her first title in over two years. At LWOT, we are thrilled to share our exclusive preview and prediction for this thrilling final. Additionally, we have insights on the final in Jiangxi. Let’s dive in and find out who will emerge victorious!
Prediction for WTA Monastir Final
Jasmine Paolini vs Elise Mertens
Head-to-head: Mertens 3-1 Paolini
This season has seen Jasmine Paolini achieve career-best performances, although she has only secured one WTA Tour title back in 2021 at Portoroz. Nevertheless, she has broken into the top 30 and reached the WTA 1000 quarterfinals in Cincinnati in the past few months. However, to truly crown her remarkable journey, winning her second career title would be the perfect ending. This tournament serves as her final chance this year, as she previously fell short in Palermo against Zheng Qinwen.
Elise Mertens, the victor of the inaugural WTA Monastir Open last year, exudes dominance and love for this venue. In her path to the final, she triumphed over Claire Liu 6-4 6-0 in the semifinals and thrashed Alize Cornet 6-2 6-0 in the title match. Mertens has been unstoppable, only conceding 18 games in four matches and denying her opponents any opportunity to reach a tiebreak. Known for her consistency, the Belgian talent seeks to claim her 8th WTA Tour title, holding a respectable 7-4 record in finals.
While Mertens currently leads the head-to-head 3-1, the last three encounters have been highly contested. Paolini’s potential is often overlooked, and when she displays confidence in her forehand attacks, she becomes a formidable opponent. She has showcased this ability numerous times throughout the year, and she will need to summon those skills to defeat the resilient Mertens.
However, the challenge lies in Mertens’ unwavering determination and her ability to maintain a consistently high level of play. This final is expected to be a closely-fought battle, with Paolini having a legitimate chance to claim victory on her best performance. It’s up to Paolini to deliver her best and conclude her remarkable season with a well-deserved trophy.
Prediction: Paolini in 3
Main photo credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jessica Roberts serves up the latest in the world of tennis. With a love for the racket sport, she reports on tennis matches, player rankings, and Grand Slam events, ensuring readers stay informed about the tennis world.