Madrid Open 2023: Mertens vs. Sherif Tennis Prediction and Pick

TennisSection previews the 2023 Madrid Open fourth-round match featuring Elise Mertens vs. Mayar Sherif on Monday, May 1, 2023.

Elise Mertens vs. Mayar Sherif Preview

Can Egypt’s Mayar Sherif break new ground at WTA 1000 level? Or will Elise Mertens reach another quarterfinal the Madrid Open?

Elise Mertens has advanced into the fourth round of the Madrid Open very smoothly and under the radar, with two decent wins over very powerful opponents. On these quick conditions it can be very tricky to subdue the likes of Rebecca Marino and Jule Niemeier, whom Mertens defeated with aplomb to reach the second week.

Mayar Sherif has been a true giant killer in the first week. She got a retirement win over Camila Giorgi in the first round but has since looked in fine fettle. She took out 30th seed Anhelina Kalinina in straight sets thereafter, and perhaps the most shocking result of the tournament came in the third round where she defeated fifth seed Caroline Garcia 7-6, 6-3 – her first top-5 win of her career.

Elise Mertens vs. Mayar Sherif Prediction and Pick

Elise Mertens and Mayar Sherif have not played each other on the WTA Tour, with this fourth-round clash at the Madrid Open being their first meeting. Sherif’s run has been jaw-dropping accounting for wins over Kalinina and Garcia in back-to-back matches. Mertens, however, looks to have hit her straps this week, playing with patience, covering the court excellently, and being tough to break down. When the Belgian is in such a mood, she tends to win. She’ll likely win again, but look out Sherif to make things super interesting.