Coming into the grass court season, Emma Raducanu had high hopes and she is well standing up to the expectations. Having reached the semifinals and quarterfinals of the tournaments leading to Wimbledon, she is in red-hot form and does not know any stopping at the moment. With nothing but the title on her mind, she is all set to achieve grasscourt supremacy. But her road to the top won’t be easy at all. Standing in her way will be the Belgian powerhouse Elise Mertens.

With the stage set frn a thrilling second round encounter, who among the two stars will come out on top? Will Raducanu enjoy the home supoort or does Mertens have her own plans to spoil the show?

Emma Raducanu vs Elise Mertens: Preview

Currently ranked 135th in the world, Emma Raducanu secured a strong win against Renata Zarazua, 7-6(0), 6-3, to reach the second round. Raducanu scored 73 points to Zarazua’s 63, hitting 37 winners with an aggressive approach. She served just 1 ace and committed 2 double faults, but still excelled with 71% of her first serve points and 55% of her second serve points.

Despite conceding serve once, she broke Zarazua twice, converting 67% of her break points. Raducanu’s best 2024 result was a semifinal in Nottingham, and she has a 14-9 overall record this year, including 5-2 on grass.

On the other hand, her opponent, Elise Mertens, ranked 33rd, came from a set down to defeat Nao Hibino 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 in the first round. Mertens showed her aggressive play with 32 winners and scored 84 points to Hibino’s 74. She served 9 aces and had 5 double faults, winning 76% of her first serve points and 62% of her second serve points. Despite conceding serve twice, she broke Hibino three times from seven opportunities. Mertens’s best 2024 result was a final in Hobart, and her record stands at 19-16, with a 3-3 record on grass.

Raducanu vs Mertens: Head-to-head

When it comes to the head-to-head statistics between the two stars, the scores are not available as the two players have not faced each other before. Thus this will be the very first encounter between the two. In a bid to make their way into the next round and secure  a lead in the head-to-head statisitcs, both players will be willing to give their everything. But who will come out on top?

Prediction: Emma Raducanu to clinch the win and make her way into the round 3

One thing is certain, the match will be a pure eye-cathcer. With the two stars willing to give their everything, these two will not go down without a fight. However, Emma Raducanu, out of the two poses a stronghold in the match as grass is her preferred surface and she will certainly enjoy the support of the home crowd.

But, the Belgian Elise Mertens is also capable of posing serious threats to the Brit. Thus, in a thrilling encounter, who among the two will come out on top? Do let us known in the comments below!