Elise Mertens (28, 28)Elise Mertens can qualify for the quarterfinals of Roland Garros for the first time in her career. She will compete in the fourth round against the Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (WTA 333), a finalist two years ago in Paris. Follow the match live here with text from 11am.
- 12h57. 6-6: We get a tiebreak. A primal cry from Pavlyuchenkova: she hits a very clever ball straight through which Mertens can no longer reach. Mertens has been reading carefully throughout the match where the Russian’s attack balls are going. But now the Russian knows how to make the point faster. Mertens still takes her service game with a few very nice points. .
6-6: we get a tiebreak
A primal cry from Pavlyuchenkova: she hits a very clever ball straight through which Mertens can no longer reach. Mertens has been reading carefully throughout the match where the Russian’s attack balls are going. But now the Russian knows how to make the point faster.
Mertens still takes her service game with a few very nice points.
- 12 hours 54. 6-5. Pavlyuchenkova continues to serve strongly. Her level is significantly higher in the second set. .
6-5
Pavlyuchenkova continues to serve strongly. Her level is significantly higher in the second set.
- 12hrs 48.5-5: Vital service game Mertens. Pavlyuchenkova starts with a phenomenal return on Mertens’ serve. But Mertens answers with a very nice defense and a great point at the net. Mertens cries out and takes the game with a hard serve. She shows her best tennis when it has to happen, very clever of the Belgian. .
5-5: Mertens vital service game
Pavlyuchenkova starts with a phenomenal return on Mertens’ serve. But Mertens answers with a very nice defense and a great point at the net.
Mertens cries out and takes the game with a hard serve. She shows her best tennis when it has to happen, very clever of the Belgian.
- 12 hours 46.5-4. Quick service game for Pavlyuchenkova. Mertens now needs to win her serve game. .
5-4
Quick service game for Pavlyuchenkova.
Mertens now needs to win her serve game.
- 12pm 41.4-4. The pressure is currently on Mertens. In addition, the wind plays its part in storage. She throws the ball incorrectly several times. This leads to frustration for Pavlyuchenkova. Mertens varies well and challenges the Russian to go for the winner. In this way, Mertens forces her into error. .
4-4
The pressure is currently on Mertens. In addition, the wind plays its part in storage. She throws the ball incorrectly several times. This leads to frustration for Pavlyuchenkova.
Mertens varies well and challenges the Russian to go for the winner. In this way, Mertens forces her into error.
- 12 hours 34. 4-3. Mertens falls behind for the first time in this match. Pavlyuchenkova makes it 4-3 and starts to play better and better. Pavlyuchenkova’s clenched fist. Will this be a tipping point or will the Belgian continue on her momentum of set 1? Mertens’ next service game will be very important. .
4-3
Mertens falls behind for the first time in this match. Pavlyuchenkova makes it 4-3 and starts to play better and better.
Pavlyuchenkova’s clenched fist. Will this be a tipping point or will the Belgian continue on her momentum of set 1?
Mertens’ next service game will be very important.
- 12pm 32.3-3. After a double fault from Mertens, Pavlyuchenkova makes it 0-40. With one of the first good smashes of the match, the Russian takes the rebreak. .
3-3
After a double fault from Mertens, Pavlyuchenkova makes it 0-40. With one of the first good smashes of the match, the Russian takes the rebreak.
- 12pm 19.2-3. The wind favors Mertens. Pavlyuchenkova thinks that a high ball goes out from Mertens, but he still falls full on the line. Pavlyuchenkova then fights back to deuce with a 0-40 deficit on the board. The Russian continues to have problems with Mertens’ lob balls. She doesn’t know how to smash the ball away and that’s the point for Mertens. After another great defensive work and nice variations from Mertens, she manages to enforce a few more break opportunities. But the Russian always fights back to deuce with some good points. After a long service game, Pavlyuchenkova wins. Can she take courage from this? .
2-3
The wind favors Mertens. Pavlyuchenkova thinks that a high ball goes out from Mertens, but he still falls full on the line.
Pavlyuchenkova then fights back to deuce with a 0-40 deficit on the board. The Russian continues to have problems with Mertens’ lob balls. She doesn’t know how to smash the ball away and that’s the point for Mertens.
After another great defensive work and nice variations from Mertens, she manages to enforce a few more break opportunities. But the Russian always fights back to deuce with some good points.
After a long service game, Pavlyuchenkova wins. Can she take courage from this?
- 12 o’clock 19.
- 12pm 15. 1-3: love game Mertens. What a world of difference with her first serve game in this set. After three great serves, she finishes with an ace. .
1-3: love-game Mertens
What a world of difference with her first serve game in this set. After three great serves, she finishes with an ace.
- 12 noon 10.1-2. Mertens’ defense is unbelievable, she turns an impossible point in her favor. After an aggressive return, it is 0-40 for the Belgian. Mertens plays the most consistent game of the two players on the field and that pays off. .
1-2
Mertens’ defense is unbelievable, she turns an impossible point in her favor.
After an aggressive return, it is 0-40 for the Belgian.
Mertens plays the most consistent game of the two players on the field and that pays off.
- 12 o’clock 09.1-1. After three double faults in her service game, Pavluchenkova immediately erased the lead. .
1-1
After three double faults in her service game, Pavluchenkova immediately erased the lead.
- 12 o’clock 05. The wind plays tricks on the players. Pavlyuchenkova’s aggressive play is not coming through because of the strong wind. Mertens then hits a double fault because she cannot see the lines properly due to the blowing gravel. .
The wind plays tricks on the players.
Pavlyuchenkova’s aggressive play is not coming through because of the strong wind.
Mertens then hits a double fault because she cannot see the lines properly due to the blowing gravel.
- 12 o’clock . 0-1: Immediately break Mertens. Mertens steams through in set 2. Her defense remains very strong. She often uses the same tactic: after a strong blow from the Russian, Mertens hits the ball high back into the field. Pavluchenkova always fails to put those balls away, partly due to the wind and Mertens fights back in the rally every time. .
0-1: Immediately break Mertens
Mertens steams through in set 2. Her defense remains very strong.
She often uses the same tactic: after a strong blow from the Russian, Mertens hits the ball high back into the field. Pavluchenkova always fails to put those balls away, partly due to the wind and Mertens fights back in the rally every time.
- 11:59 am. Will Pavluchenkova find a solution for Mertens’ very solid play in the second set? .
Will Pavluchenkova find a solution for Mertens’ very solid play in the second set?
- 11h56. 3-6: First set for a strong Mertens. Mertens starts her service game strong with an ace. A double fault is very inconvenient for the Belgian. Fortunately for Mertens, Pavluchenkova also feels the pressure and makes two direct mistakes. On deuce, Pavluchenkova cries out: breakpoint for the Russian. After a very hard serve through the middle, Mertens peps himself up. At set point number 2, Mertens hits the mark and takes the first set 3-6. Strong work from the Belgian. .
3-6: First set for a strong Mertens
Mertens starts her service game strong with an ace. A double fault is very inconvenient for the Belgian. Fortunately for Mertens, Pavluchenkova also feels the pressure and makes two direct mistakes.
On deuce, Pavluchenkova cries out: breakpoint for the Russian. After a very hard serve through the middle, Mertens peps himself up.
At set point number 2, Mertens hits the mark and takes the first set 3-6. Strong work from the Belgian.
- 11am 45. 3-5. Pavlyuchenkova knows she has to hit the balls harder to beat Mertens and she does. She wins her service game with a strong serve. Mertens may now serve the set under pressure. .
3-5
Pavlyuchenkova knows she has to hit the balls harder to beat Mertens and she does. She wins her service game with a strong serve.
Mertens may now serve the set under pressure.
- 11am 40. 2-5. Mertens is 30-0 behind after some wrong decisions on her own service game. But with a beautiful point along the line and a solid serve, she comes back to 30-40. A lot of pressure on Mertens, but she manages to keep the break. .
2-5
Mertens is 30-0 behind after some wrong decisions on her own service game. But with a beautiful point along the line and a solid serve, she comes back to 30-40. A lot of pressure on Mertens, but she manages to keep the break.
- 11:33. 2-4: First service game for Pavlyuchenkova. Mertens continues to defend sublimely. Pavlyuchenkova plays aggressively, but Mertens manages to bring back an incredible amount of balls. With a beautiful return and a nice variation at the net, she makes Pavlyuchenkova doubt. Nevertheless, the Russian takes the game on strength. This will energize her. .
2-4: first service game for Pavlyuchenkova
Mertens continues to defend sublimely. Pavlyuchenkova plays aggressively, but Mertens manages to bring back an incredible amount of balls. With a beautiful return and a nice variation at the net, she makes Pavlyuchenkova doubt. Nevertheless, the Russian takes the game on strength. This will energize her.
- 11h30. 1-4. Mertens can confirm her break. With the support of the public, she continues to maintain her high level. .
1-4
Mertens can confirm her break. With the support of the public, she continues to maintain her high level.
2023-06-04 10:50:00
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