We've got three first-round picks from the grass in 's-Hertogenbosch today, and there are some interesting matchups to get through. Who do you think makes it through to the second round?
WTA Libema Open Predictions
Elena Gabriela Ruse vs Elise Mertens
Head-to-head: Ruse 0-4 Mertens
Four meetings and Ruse hasn't taken a single one, and on grass that feels even more relevant. Mertens is genuinely one of the better grass-court players on tour, comfortable at the net and clean through the ball on fast surfaces and 's-Hertogenbosch is basically a home tournament for her at this point. Ruse can be dangerous when she's striking it well, but this draw and this surface are not where you'd back her to find her best tennis.
That said, three sets feels right here. Ruse isn't the kind of player who goes quietly, and Mertens has a habit of dropping sets in matches she should control. Still, Mertens gets through.
Prediction: Mertens in 3
Anastasia Potapova vs Suzan Lamens
Head-to-head: Potapova 1-0 Lamens
Lamens is a wildcard type of player on home soil and the crowd will be behind her, but the ranking gap here is real and hard to see this being competitive at all. Potapova has been playing well enough in 2025 to justify being a clear favorite. Her game travels to grass without much adjustment needed and I think she handles the occasion and wraps this up in two, all things considered.
Prediction: Potapova in 2
Nikola Bartunkova vs Hanne Vandewinkel
Head-to-head: First meeting
First meeting between two players ranked outside the top 60 and 90 respectively, and honestly this is a tough one to call with confidence. Bartunkova has been the more consistent performer over the past year and her ranking reflects that, but Vandewinkel is Belgian playing essentially in front of a home crowd, a factor that has visibly lifted players at this event before, on a surface that suits her attacking game. I feel like that crowd factor and the grass conditions tip it in her favor over three sets.
Prediction: Vandewinkel in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
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