Jasmine Paolini vs Priscilla Hon Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Paolini to snap three-match losing run in Merida opener

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: Thu 26 Feb 2026 01:43

Andrew Hendrie 26 Feb 2026

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Jasmine Paolini vs Priscilla Hon predictions for Thursday's WTA Merida R2 match
Hon is facing a top 10 player for just the third time in her career (0-2, 0-4 in sets)
Paolini looking to win first match since the Australian Open
The match is scheduled to start around 11.00am AEDT on Friday February 27

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Jasmine Paolini (Photo by Getty Images)

Jasmine Paolini vs Priscilla Hon Tips, Prediction & Live Stream

Aussie lucky loser Priscilla Hon will face a top 10 player for just the third time in her career when she comes up against Jasmine Paolini in the second round of the Merida Open on Thursday.

Jasmine Paolini vs Priscilla Hon Tips, Prediction & Live Stream
Paolini vs Hon Stats & Trends
Paolini vs Hon Head To Head
Jasmine Paolini Form Analysis
Priscilla Hon Form Analysis
Paolini vs Hon Live Stream

It's been a rollercoaster tournament in Merida for Hon - she was bounced in the final round of qualifying, but received entry into the main draw as a lucky loser. Drawn against home hope Renata Zarazua under the lights, Hon recovered from 1-3 down in the deciding set to prevail in three, setting up this meeting with the tournament's top seed. Paolini meanwhile will be hoping to get her season back on track as she comes into this 500-level event on the back of a three-match losing streak, going down in straights in all three.

I believe Hon will crack the top 100 again at some stage in 2026, but this looks a step too far for the Aussie right now. Paolini has dominated players outside the top 100 for a while now and the Italian will be determined to get back to winning ways here. Backing Paolini in straights.

Paolini vs Hon Stats & Trends

Paolini has won 26 of her last 27 matches vs players outside the top 100
Eight of Paolini's last 12 wins over players outside the top 100 have been in straight sets
Five of Paolini's last six wins overall have come in straight sets
Hon is 0-2 vs top 10 players, losing both in straight sets
Five of Hon's last seven defeats overall have come in straight sets
Hon is just 18-40 at tour-level in her career

Paolini vs Hon Head To Head

This will be the first ever meeting between the pair.

Jasmine Paolini Form Analysis

2026 Record: 3-4
WTA Merida Record: 0-0
Current Ranking: No. 7
Career-High Ranking: No. 4 (Oct 2024)

It hasn't been an ideal start to the season for Paolini, who has established herself in the top 10 over the last two years after some big results at Grand Slam and WTA 1000 level.

Paolini only managed one win in the United Cup before suffering a straight sets defeat to teenager Iva Jovic in the third round of the Australian Open.

The Italian then went winless across the Middle East swing.

Paolini suffered an upset loss to Maria Sakkari in her Doha opener before going down to another young gun in Alexandra Eala in Dubai. The 30-year-old hasn't won a set since the second round of the Australian Open.

Priscilla Hon Form Analysis

2026 Record: 2-1
WTA Merida Record: 1-0
Current Ranking: No. 136
Career-High Ranking: No. 94 (Oct 2025)

Hon put together a fantastic back-end to 2025 that saw her crack the top 100 for the first time at the age of 27.

However, a foot injury forced the Aussie to shut down her season early and affected her preseason and preparation for the January summer.

Nevertheless, Hon managed to win a round at the Australian Open before also going down to the rising Iva Jovic in straight sets.

It wasn't a great Middle East swing for Hon as she went out in the first round of qualifying in Abu Dhabi, Doha and Dubai, while she also suffered a defeat in Merida qualifying this tournament.

Hon has made the most of her lucky loser entry into the main draw, coming back from 1-3 down in the third set against Renata Zarazua to prevail 6-2 2-6 6-4.