Elise Mertens defeated a former number 1 in the world, Angelique Kerber in the previous round. In her 1/8th final today, the number 2 of the moment, Ons Jabeur, awaits. “An extraordinary player”, she knows herself. Our compatriot’s course at Wimbledon is challenging, but Mertens himself is more “confident” than before. That promises.
Elise Mertens (WTA-31) qualified for the fourth round at Wimbledon on Friday at the expense of the German Angelique Kerber (WTA-19).
“I played a very good match,” she said after winning 6-4 and 7-5 against the triple grand slam champion, including Wimbledon in 2018.
“I didn’t expect it to be this good. But the start of the match gave me hope and in the second set I was able to achieve a good comeback. My level of play was much better than the last two or three days. That’s a good sign, I hope it crescendo keeps going.”
As I said after my second round: you should never give up and keep fighting
Mertens will probably have to raise her level, because now the Tunisian third seed Ons Jabeur (WTA-2) is waiting. Mertens already played against Jabeur once before. Last year she won the US Open 6-3 and 7-5. But the Tunisian is in shape. She won the WTA tournament in Berlin last month.
“Jabeur is an extraordinary player,” said Mertens. “She has achieved very good results in recent months (with final victories in Madrid and finals in Charleston and Rome, ed.).”
“But I’m also there. I’m here to play a good match. And I’m clearly more confident after that win against Kerber. As I said after my second round, you should never give up and keep fighting.”
