Alycia Parks (L) & Elise Mertens

Miami Open 2023: Alycia Parks vs Elise Mertens preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick

By Sudeshna Banerjee

Modified Mar 20, 2023 20:04 GMT

Match details

Fixture: Alycia Parks vs Elise Mertens

Tournament: Miami Open 2023

Round: First round (Round of 128)

Venue: Miami Gardens, Florida, United States

Category: WTA 1000

Surface: Outdoor hardcourt

Prize money: $8,800,000

Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel/TC Plus | UK - Amazon Prime Video

Alycia Parks vs Elise Mertens preview

Lyon champion Alycia Parks will square off against former World No. 12 Elise Mertens in the first round of the Miami Open 2023.

Parks has been in the spotlight for the past few months. The 22-year-old American won back-to-back WTA 125 events in Andorra and Anders to end the 2022 season on a high.

She continued her momentum to rampage through the draw at the WTA 250 event in Lyon last month. Parks upset the top seed and World No. 5 Caroline Garcia to win her maiden tour-level title. However, the youngster has since struggled to match those highs. Post her Lyon triumph, the World No. 56 has managed just one win in four events.

Parks will be making her Miami debut on the back of a three-match losing streak.

Mertens strikes the ball at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open

A winner of seven titles, Elise Mertens has struggled for consistency for some time now. The 27-year-old Belgian won her most recent title at Monastir in Tunisia in October but has failed to keep the run going since then.

The World No. 39 has compiled a 10-7 win-loss record for the year, with her semifinal run at Monterrey standing out. She will be making her fifth appearance in Miami following a first-round exit at Indian Wells.

Alycia Parks vs Elise Mertens head-to-head

Parks and Mertens have never squared off on the tour before, so their head-to-head is 0-0.

Alycia Parks vs Elise Mertens odds

Player	Moneyline	Handicap Bets	Total Games (Over & Under)
Alycia Parks	+260	+1.5 (-105)	Over 20.5 (-120)
Elise Mertens	-350	-1.5 (-135)	Under 20.5 (-120)

(Odds sourced from BetMGM)

Alycia Parks vs Elise Mertens prediction

Mertens serves at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open.

Although Parks has a title to show for the year, her recent results don't inspire much confidence. She was comprehensively beaten by Anna Kalinskaya at Indian Wells, where she managed just a couple of games. The young American is clearly struggling to live up to expectations following her Lyon breakthrough.

Mertens, meanwhile, has made the last 16 of this tournament previously, and her past experience should come in handy against the debutant. She takes the ball early and is adept in converting defense into offense. Her doubles prowess makes her an effective net player too.

Mertens has all the tools needed to make this a tough affair for Parks. Unless the American finds her gigantic serve, Mertens is expected to sail through.

Pick: Mertens to win in straight sets

Edited by
Sudeshna Banerjee