Mboko vs Mertens Prediction United Cup 1/6/2026 Today’s Tennis Picks

Canada’s Victoria Mboko will face Belgium’s Elise Mertens in the 2026 United Cup on Tuesday, January 6. Here’s our Victoria Mboko vs Elise Mertens prediction. This preview will also include a Victoria Mboko vs Elise Mertens pick.

Tournament Details

Tournament name: United Cup
Host cities: Perth, Sydney
Date: 2 – 11 January 2026
Field: 18 countries
Total prize money: $11,806,190
Tie: Canada vs Belgium

Victoria Mboko vs Elise Mertens Preview

Victoria Mboko withstood a tenacious Zhu Lin in her opening match of the United Cup. Mboko defeated the Chinese veteran in three sets as Canada defeated China 3-0 in their opening tie. Mboko recovered from a slow start in which she dropped the first set 6-2 in 36 minutes. The World No. 18 lost just two more games in the next two sets and wrapped up a 2-6, 6-2, 6-0 victory in an hour and 40 minutes.

In the victory, Mboko hit 9 aces and 4 double faults. Mboko landed 76% of first serves in play and won 73% of first serve points (37/51). Mboko won 31% of second serve points (5/16) and saved three of six break points. Mboko was also involved in the mixed doubles match with ATP player Felix Auger-Aliassime and they comfortably won that rubber 6-1, 6-3.

Elise Mertens was also victorious in her opening singles match against Zhu Lin, but Belgium fell short in their tie against China. Mertens beat Lin 6-2, 6-2 in an hour and 19 minutes. She broke serve three times in a dominant first set. And despite Lin recovering from an early break deficit in the second set, Mertens broke her twice in the third and fifth games to complete a routine straight-sets win.

Mertens hit 5 aces and 2 double faults in the victory. She landed 54% of first serves in play and won 69% of first serve points (18/26). Mertens won 55% of second serve points (12/22) and saved three of five break points. Belgium lost the men’s singles match and the mixed doubles match, which Mertens played in, leaving their qualification hopes in tatters.

Victoria Mboko vs Elise Mertens Head-To-Head

Mboko and Mertens have never played before, so this will be their first career meeting.

Victoria Mboko vs Elise Mertens Prediction

Mboko was slow off the blocks, but quickly regained her footing to win quite comfortably in her opening singles match. Mboko is still the favorite here, but this matchup potentially sets up better for Mertens than the odds indicate. The Belgian is a proven tour-level grinder who can frustrate young power hitters with her intelligent defense and can easily lure players to overhit. And if Mboko’s timing dips, Mertens could well capitalize and give Belgium a lifeline in this tie.

Nur Said's Pick: Elise Mertens in three sets