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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.
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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.
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
(Odds sourced from BetMGM)
Alycia Parks vs Elise Mertens prediction
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
