Elise Merton trick! She is the #3 female manager in the world at Roland Garros | Roland Garros 2023

Belgian hopes remain strong in Paris. With a strong performance, Elise Mertens put world number three Jessica Pegula above the knee. I reached the eighth finals.

Mertens was elusive from the start. I immediately grabbed the first 5 games. 5-0 after 19 minutes.

The Belgian number 1 was constantly on the net and surprised Pegola with aggressive and dangerous play.

But the risks clearly paid off. Only one game Mertens had to yield to Pegula in the first set. Our compatriot made a clear statement with a score of 6-1.

Group 2 started well for Mertens. With the break it climbed back to 1-0, although Pegula hit back strongly a few minutes later. 1-1 after two periods.

Only after 6 matches does Mertens finally take the lead. She served the American again and made it 4-3.

The next game is more important. In Game 8, Pegula gets three break-even opportunities, but misses them. Mertens takes advantage and puts 5-3 on the board after a game that lasted nearly fifteen minutes.

Spring has finally broken with American Spring. Mertens up to 6-3, victory and the next round.

In the Final Eight, Mertens will face Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. The Russian is no stranger: she is formerly No. 11 in the world and was a finalist in Paris in 2021.

Due to a long-term injury, she freestyled down the world rankings last year. Today she is only 333rd in place, but she is fighting her way back. With success: she defeated compatriot Anastasia Potapova (WTA 24) after three sets.

Elise Mertens had little time for interviews after her bus, because a double match was waiting for her. “I played really well, I think.”

“I played very aggressively and all the balls stayed in the field, even though it was a bit windy. That was amazing.”

“In the second set the difference was smaller. The match at 4-3 was very important. If I didn’t win that, you never know what could have happened.”