Sakkari vs Mertens: prediction for the WTA Saint Petersburg match
On February 11, Maria Sakkari and Elise Mertens will face each other in the quarter-final of Saint Petersburg tournament. Our expert prepared a prediction for that match.

Command Analysis

Maria Sakkari

So far Maria Sakkari only played against Russian athletes in Saint Petersburg and recorded two confident victories on her way to the quarter-final.
In the first round World No. 7 player clinched a win over Anastasia Potapova (6:4, 6:4). After that she recorded even more confident victory over Ekaterina Alexandrova (6:2, 6:4). In the second round match Maria's opponent had no break-points, Sakkari won 77% of points at her serve.

Elise Mertens

Elise Mertens had a tough part to the quarter-final of Saint Petersburg tournament. Belgian player won both of her matches by a 2:1 score on sets.
In the first round Mertens pulled off a comeback victory over Alize Cornet (3:6, 6:2, 6:4). In the second match Mertens also needed three sets to beat Petra Martic (6:4, 3:6, 6:2). In the latest match Belgian player lost three games at her serve, but made four breaks.
Trends
СтавкаSets total over 2,5
In three out of four most recent head-to-head matches three sets were played

Ставка2nd set: total over 9.5
This bet played in 3 out of 4 most recent head-to-head matches

Tip and bets
Maria Sakkari looked more confident in first two rounds of Saint Petersburg tournament, so she deserved to be a favourite of the quarter-final match. But Mertens was more successful in head-to-head matches, so she is aware of Maria's weak spots. Most of recent head-to-head matches were extremely contested. We believe that Belgian player will be able to hold on to a plus handicap.
Our prediction - Mertens to win with a handicap of (+4) games
Both of Mertens' matches in the current tournament ended in three sets. In each of two most recent head-to-head matches a set exchange took place. We offer to place a bet on total over.
Our second bet is on total over 21 games