Elise Mertens vs Mayar Sherif Pick – Tennis Predictions & Odds 5/1/23

Mayar Sherif and Elise Mertens meet in the fourth round of the 2023 tennis Madrid Open. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Mayar Sherif is coming off a straight set win over Caroline Garcia that took 22 games to decide. In the victory, Sherif won 67 percent of her first serve points and 53 percent of her second serve points. Sherif won 63 percent of her total service points and converted on 4 of her 7 break points. Sherif got 73 percent of her first serves in play and hit 1 ace. Sherif hasn’t dropped a set through 3 matches, and 8 of her last 10 victories overall have been decided in straight sets. Sherif looks to make a WTA 1000 quarterfinal for the first time in her career. Sherif has won 8 of her last 10 matches on clay court.

Elise Mertens is coming off a straight set win over Jule Niemeier that took 19 games to decide. In the victory, Mertens won 58 percent of her first serve points and 58 percent of her second serve points. Mertens won 58 percent of her total service points and converted on 5 of her 12 break points. Mertens got 40 percent of her first sets in play and saved 3 of 5 break points. Mertens also hasn’t dropped a set in this tournament, and 6 of her last 8 wins overall have been decided in straight sets. Mertens looks to win 3 matches for the third time in her last 5 tournaments. Mertens looks to make her seventh career WTA 1000 quarterfinal and second in Madrid. Mertens has won 6 of her last 9 matches on clay court.

There’s no match history between these 2 players.

Mertens is probably going to be favored entering this match given her history, but an argument can be made Sherif is playing the better tennis at the moment. Mertens is also coming off a rough serving performance, and that’s not ideal. Sherif is comfortable on clay and could take advantage of those potential serving issues.

I lean toward Sherif having her breakout moment in a WTA 1000 event.