Elise Mertens got out of a very bad situation against Viktorija Golubic in the first round of the Australian Open. Trailing a set to zero, the Belgian N.1 had to put aside two match points before emerging. Our compatriot finally won in three sets: 4-6, 7-6, 6-4. Greet Minnen lost in three sets.
From the first exchanges the tone is set. The match is hooked. Both players hold their faceoff until 4-5. Mertens hopes to extend the series. She doesn’t succeed. Golubic gets the first and only break point of the set. Enough to pocket the first round (4-6).
Our compatriot reacts directly and breaks at the start of the 2nd set (1-0). She races in the lead but when it comes time to serve for the set, she gets stuck. A little more impactful and above all much more precise, Golubic is back on track. Head to the tie-break.
The decisive game is like the duel: contested and balanced. Unlike the first round, the scenario turns in favor of the 34th player in the world. Elise Mertens rejects two match points and equalizes at one set all 4-6, 7-6 (10-8).
-The standoff continues. The exchanges are more unbridled but the score still evolves in parallel. The two players go blow for blow. Twice, Mertens breaks but Golubic comes back. The Louvaniste insists. She seizes the Swiss service for the third time to close the match.
The battle lasted almost three hours (2h50), but Mertens advances to the second round where she will meet the American Jessica Pegulafinalist of the last US Open.
Belgium
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