Granny Maria versus the elite of Belgian doubles

Elise Mertens, 30 years old, WTA No. 19, coached by Christopher Heyman, has been one of the most consistent players on tour for years. Ten WTA singles titles, former world No. 1 in doubles, round of 16 at Roland-Garros in 2018, 2022 and 2023, and a round of 16 at the Australian Open at the start of the 2026 season. On clay in 2025 she posted a 9–4 record, and her consistency on tour over the last ten years is beyond question. She comes into this match with experience, solidity, and a technical level well above that of her opponent today.

Tatjana Maria, 38 years old, WTA No. 52, coached by her husband Charles-Edouard Maria, has 7 wins and 15 losses in 2026. The German, with her one-handed backhand learned during her second maternity leave, has produced one of the most romantic comebacks on tour in recent years, with a title at Queen’s Club in 2025 at age 37. But the gap in level against a player of Mertens’ calibre, fully fit and firing, is too great to realistically expect a competitive match scenario.