Belgium’s Elise Mertens claimed the biggest win of her career on
Saturday Feb 16,2019, surprisingly coming from a set down to beat world number three
Simona Halep and clinch the Qatar Open.
The world number 21 won 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, despite being outclassed in the first set, overcoming an eight-minute medical timeout for back pain in the second set, and losing 18 consecutive points at one stage in the match.
“It’s a big moment for me, getting that victory,” said a jubilant Mertens, 23, afterwards.
“I think this one would be, especially also with my tennis I played, the nicest one, nicest victory.”
Her win, in a little over two hours, was her third victory over a top ten player in Doha this week, and her second over a Grand Slam champion.
Simona Halep is the reigning French Open champion and Angelique Kerber, who she beat in the semi-finals, holds the Wimbledon title.
Qatar is the fifth title of Mertens’ career but notably her first at a Premier-level event.
The world number 21 won 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, despite being outclassed in the first set, overcoming an eight-minute medical timeout for back pain in the second set, and losing 18 consecutive points at one stage in the match.
“It’s a big moment for me, getting that victory,” said a jubilant Mertens, 23, afterwards.
“I think this one would be, especially also with my tennis I played, the nicest one, nicest victory.”
Her win, in a little over two hours, was her third victory over a top ten player in Doha this week, and her second over a Grand Slam champion.
Simona Halep is the reigning French Open champion and Angelique Kerber, who she beat in the semi-finals, holds the Wimbledon title.
Qatar is the fifth title of Mertens’ career but notably her first at a Premier-level event.
No comments:
Post a Comment