Elise Mertens vs McCartney Kessler Prediction WTA Hobart Tennis Picks 1/11/25

Elise Mertens will have the chance to win her ninth WTA title on Saturday at the Hobart International. She is one of the most decorated players at this WTA 250 event, winning it twice in the past and finishing runner-up to Emma Navarro 12 months ago.

Mertens has maintained that great track record in Tasmania managing to win four matches and dropping only a set (to Veronika Kudermetova). 

The experienced Belgian beat Australian wild card Maya Joint in Friday's semifinal. The match took 17 games to decide and lasted about 82 minutes. 

The second seed fired 12 winners and 25 unforced errors in the match and held in seven of her eight service games. Mertens won 47% of return points (28/59) and converted five of nine break points. 

McCartney Kessler Preview

McCartney Kessler took two hours and four minutes to see off sixth seed Elina Avanesyan in the other semifinal. The American prevailed 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. It is the only match this week that Kessler has dropped a set.

Kessler recorded 21 winners and 40 unforced errors. She got 60% of first serves in play (51/85) and won 55% of first-serve points (28/51). 

Kessler won 50% of second-serve points (17/34) and held in eight of 14 service games. The World No. 67 won 52% of return points (45/86) and converted eight of 10 break points.

This will be her second career final at the WTA level (won in Cleveland).

Elise Mertens vs McCartney Kessler Head-To-Head

• Mertens and Kessler have never played each other on the WTA level.

Elise Mertens vs McCartney Kessler Prediction

Mertens has a ton of experience at this level winning eight career titles in singles and beating some top names in finals. Kessler, however, has proven her mettle already when she sensationally beat Brazil's No. 1 Haddad Maia for her maiden WTA title in Cleveland last season. Kessler is aggressive and likes to take control from the baseline. And from what I've seen she's also versatile and can always change the course of a rally with some trick shots. But none of that will worry Mertens too much with the Belgian being a very good power absorber who is also quick-footed to chase some of these short balls that will likely land in her sweet spot. Give me Mertens in straight sets for profitable returns.