Barbora Krejcikova vs Elise Mertens Preview, Head-to-Head, Prediction, Odds, and Betting Tips | United Cup 2026

Match Details

Fixture: (CZE) Barbora Krejcikova vs (BEL) Elise Mertens

Date: January 8, 2026

Tournament: United Cup

Round: Quarterfinal

Category: United Cup

Venue: Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney, Australia

Surface: Hard

Prize Money: $11,806,190

Live Telecast: USA – Tennis Channel | UK – Sky Sports | Canada – TSN, RDS

Barbora Krejcikova vs Elise Mertens Preview

Czechia’s Barbora Krejcikova will face Belgium’s Elise Mertens in the quarterfinals of the United Cup 2026.

Krejcikova scored an routine 6-4, 6-3 win over Norway’s Malene Helgo to begin Czechia’s campaign on a winning note. Her compatriot Jakub Mensik beat Casper Ruud in straight sets after that. She teamed up with Adam Pavlasek to clinch the mixed doubles rubber as well, thus maintaining a clean slate in their first group tie.

Krejcikova gave her team another good start with her 6-4, 6-1 win against Maya Joint of Australia. However, Mensik went down to Alex de Minaur, and they came up short in the mixed doubles match as well. While they came in second place in their group, they still progressed further due to being one of the two best second-placed teams in the tournament.

Mertens made light work of China’s Zhu Lin, beating her 6-2, 6-2. Unfortunately, they couldn’t capitalize on this lead. The Chinese won the next two matches to defeat the Belgians 2-1.

Zizou Bergs upset Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 6-2 to begin their second group tie on a positive note. Mertens fought past Victoria Mboko 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, and then joined forces with Bergs to win the mixed doubles tie. Their 3-0 sweep helped them top the group, and they advanced beyond the group stage for the first time.

Barbora Krejcikova vs Elise Mertens Head-to-Head

This will be the first career meeting between them, so the head-to-head currently stands at 0-0.

Barbora Krejcikova vs Elise Mertens Odds

(Odds via BetMGM)

Barbora Krejcikova vs Elise Mertens prediction

Neither have lost a match at the United Cup thus far, although that streak is about to come to an end. While this will be their first showdown in singles, by no means they’re unfamiliar rivals. Both Krejcikova and Mertens have cemented their place as the best doubles players of the current generation.

They’ve crossed paths numerous times over the years in doubles since 2016, with Krejcikova winning 11 of their 16 matches. They’re tied 1-1 in Major finals. Mertens won the Australian Open 2021, while Krejcikova beat the Belgian when they met in the Wimbledon 2022 final.

Krejcikova was sidelined for most of 2025 due to an injury. She compiled a 16-9 record, with her best result being a quarterfinal showing at the US Open. Mertens won two titles from three finals last year, and put together a 36-20 record.

While both have played at a high level this week, Krejcikova is the more established singles player of the two. If she’s slowly inching back towards her peak, then it will be difficult for Mertens to stop her.

Pick: Barbora Krejcikova to win in three sets.

Barbora Krejcikova vs Elise Mertens betting tips

Tip 1: Barbora Krejcikova to win.

Tip 2: The match will have at least one tie-break.

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