“It was really bad,” said the self-deprecating Mertens on Tuesday after her first-round victory over Sweden’s Peterson. After three tough sets, she took the lead, but “in the second round you should be really better,” she said afterwards. This is what happened.
In front of qualified player Gramatikopoulou, ranked 234 in the world, Mertens showed that she is better than the 24-year-old Greek. After a feast of breaks at the start of the opening set, I quickly advanced 3-1.
Mertens appeared to have left the tough match against Peterson behind and grabbed the Greek by the scruff. Thanks to strong tennis, she finally won Group 1 with clear numbers 6-2.
Grammaticopoulou, who was in the main draw for a major tournament in New York for the first time, had to submit to the Strongest Law in the second set. Mertens had the upper hand in rallies and was no longer distracted.
Leading 5-2 in the second set, rain seemed to break Mertens’ momentum for a while, but at the start of the second half she managed to finish it off with her own serve. 6-2 and a book.
In the third round, she will meet Tunisian Anas Jaber, ranked 20th in the world. Not an easy task for Mertens, because Jabeur is having a good season, with her first WTA title in June and also the quarter-finals at Wimbledon.
“Reader. Unapologetic web fanatic. Student. Beer buff. Social media scholar. Alcohol advocate.”
More Stories
Transfer news and rumours 29/08: Dendoncker – Keita – Van den Bosch – Hong
Tibao Ness and his girlfriend Anna have big news: “Finally”
Jenno Berckmoes wins first professional edition of Muur Classic Geraardsbergen, Rick Ottema fourth