Elise Mertens kicked off her title defense with a comprehensive 6-2, 6-0 win over Anastasia Zakharova that required just 68 minutes. In the victory, Mertens registered one ace and two double faults against her name. She landed only 33% of first serves but won 69% of first-serve points (9/13).

Mertens won 65% of second-serve points (17/26) and converted seven of ten break points. It was Belgian’s 25th win of the season as she embarks on potentially lifting her first title of 2024. Before this week, Mertens had reached the round of 16 at the US Open, where she lost to eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka. 

Eva Lys, meanwhile, was also in good form in beating Lesia Tsurenko in her opening match at the 2024 Jasmin Oepn. The German, making her debut at the WTA 250 event, defeated the veteran Tsurenko 6-3, 7-5.

In the victory, which required nearly two hours of tennis, Lys posted one ace to three double faults and benefitted from a woeful serving performance by Tsurenkko, who cranked up the double fault count (nine in total). Lys landed 76% of first serves and won 58% of first-serve points (31/53). She also won 53% of second-serve points (9/17). The World No. 126 converted five of 13 break points in the match.

Elise Mertens vs Eva Lys Head-To-Head

• Mertens and Lys have never played each other at any level before this.

Elise Mertens vs Eva Lys Prediction

Mertens has not won a WTA title this year, and it is imperative that she wins one this week to keep her spot in the Top 40. Her opening win at the Jasmin Open was a statement of intent, and although Eva Lys can keep the score a lot more respectable on Thursday, Mertens should still be a solid pick to win this match in straight sets.