© AFP
Elise Mertens (WTA-29) gave Belgium another lead (2-1) in the United Cup match with Bulgaria on Sunday in Perth, Australia. The 27-year-old from Limburg took the measure of Gergana Topalova (WTA-323) in 1 hour and 55 minutes with 6-4, 3-6 and 6-0.
Jens HeylenBron: BELGIAN
On Saturday, Alison Van Uytvanck (WTA-72) already won 6-1, 3-6 and 6-3 against Isabella Shinikova (WTA-381), but David Goffin (ATP-53) had to win 6-4 and 7-5 giving thumbs up to Grigor Dimitrov (ATP 28). Later on Sunday, Zizou Bergs (ATP-129) gives way to Dimitar Kuzmanov (ATP-196) and Mertens and Goffin take on Tomova and Dimitrov in a mixed doubles. The composition of the teams for that mixed doubles can still be changed.
For the Belgians it is the first confrontation in group A. Bulgaria already suffered a 4-1 defeat against the Greece of Stefanos Tsitsipas (ATP-4) and Maria Sakkari (WTA-6), opponents of the Belgians on Monday and Tuesday. The six group winners play play-offs for a place in the semi-finals. Of the three losers of those playoffs, the team that performed best in the group stage is also fished out for the Final Four.
Bonaventure qualifies for the main draw in Auckland
Ysaline Bonaventure (WTA-95) has placed herself in the main draw of the WTA tournament in Auckland, New Zealand ($ 259,303) on Sunday local time. In the second qualifying round, the 28-year-old from Liège won 6-3, 2-6 and 6-4 against the Dutch Arantxa Rus (WTA-101). She was the first seed in the qualifiers.