© BELGIUM
Elise Mertens (WTA 28) wants to qualify for the quarterfinals of Roland Garros for the first time in her career. On Court Philippe-Chatrier, where she outshone the American Jessica Pegula (WTA 3) on Friday, the 27-year-old from Limburg will compete against the Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (WTA 333) on Sunday afternoon. The 2021 finalist is back after a knee injury that kept her off the field for the entire second half of 2022.
Bron: BELGIAN
“It’s going to be tough. All matches are tough”, said Mertens. “I don’t know if there is a favourite. She (Pavlyuchenkova, ed.) has experience at this level. I’ve never reached the quarterfinals here but I’m going to give everything to try and win this game. I always try to get as far as possible in the big tournaments and especially in the Grand Slams, which are always something special.”
Elise Mertens, the last remaining seed in her quarter of the table, gained confidence for Saturday’s duel with a victory in the second round of the doubles. Together with the Australian Storm Hunter, she defeated the Brazilian Ingrid Martins (WTA 76) and the Belarusian Iryna Shymanovich (WTA 91) 7-6 (7/4), 6-1 on Court 14. Mertens also switched on on Friday impressive way Jessica Pegula.
“I want to concentrate on my game and try to build on what I did well in the previous game,” she continued. “I’m confident, but I’m going to take it point by point, because even if I won the first set 6-1, you never know what can happen next. It was really close in the second. I don’t want to get too hung up on the idea that I have to win here and definitely get a quarter. I just want to focus on my game. Everything is possible and we will see.”