Key Takeaways
- Elise Mertens defeated Maria Timofeeva 6-2, 7-6(5) to book her spot in the US Open third round.
- Mertens credited her confidence to reaching the Monterrey final despite a demanding travel schedule to New York.
- Elise Mertens said of upcoming opponent Naomi Osaka: “She’s a great competitor. She won it here twice in the past, too.”
Elise Mertens advances to the third round in New York
Elise Mertens secured her spot in the US Open third round with a tight 6-2, 7-6(5) victory over Maria Timofeeva. Reflecting on the straight-set win, the two-time US Open singles quarterfinalist assessed her performance on the court.
“Good first set. Second set was a bit tight, of course, but I’m very happy that I could close it out in two and eventually win that that tiebreaker,” Mertens explained. When discussing her poise in pressure moments, having clinched three consecutive tiebreakers this year, she emphasized mental composure: “Just focus on myself, focus on what I have to do, and then especially play point by point.”
Overcoming travel fatigue after Monterrey final
Mertens arrived in Flushing Meadows riding positive momentum from Mexico, having reached the final in Monterrey following early struggles in Toronto and Cincinnati where she admitted she did not feel her best on the ball. Reaching the Monterrey final required a demanding turnaround before stepping out for the final Grand Slam tournament of the season.
“We took the um I think I was traveling from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Sunday. A kind of a a long journey,” Mertens shared about her travel to New York. With her opening match scheduled for Tuesday, she managed her rest and preparation efficiently, heading to bed late after arrival and quickly adjusting: “Played my first round match. Then I had a day off slash practice and then this morning 6:30. So I was like, ‘Okay, from 1:00 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. It’s fine. It’s fine.’”
Memories with Sabalenka and life back at the meadow
The US Open holds special significance for Mertens, who captured her first major title in New York back in 2019 alongside Aryna Sabalenka. Looking back on their doubles partnership, Mertens recognized Sabalenka’s high ceiling early on.
“Well, actually, yes. I I saw a lot of potential in her,” Mertens said, noting their shared success over two and a half seasons. “She’s a very friendly person. Um, we still talk a little bit here and there. What do you do after tennis and stuff like that, but uh, no, she’s very relaxed, very friendly, still the same person as before.”
Away from the tour, Mertens finds peace in a rapidly expanding animal collection at home, which she shares with her boyfriend. “We started living together this year and we have a meadow. We have five sheep now, too,” Mertens revealed, adding that their care falls to her parents while she travels: “My mom and dad. They come I’m like living 10 minutes away from my parents’ house, so they have to feed the animals every two days, but they don’t mind, luckily.” In addition to the five sheep, the couple cares for around 30 birds, including two newly hatched zebra birds.
That rural setting provides a refreshing escape from the bustle of the city. “Very different. But I love New York,” she said. “Every year that we come back to New York, I really look forward to New York, but then I know once New York is finished, I go back home to my meadow, to the nature, to my little pond over there. So, it’s a nice contrast.”
Clash with Naomi Osaka awaits
Her next challenge will be a marquee third-round encounter against two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka, who advanced after beating Katerina Siniakova 6-2, 5-7, 6-1. Mertens recently met Osaka in Toronto and knows a difficult battle lies ahead.
“She’s a great competitor. She won it here twice in the past, too. So, I mean, she has she has the home advantage maybe a little bit, but uh I’m definitely looking forward to that match,” Mertens stated as she targets another deep run in New York.
