admin Belgian second seed Elise Mertens recovered from a set down to beat Czech Nikola Bartunkova 1-6 6-4 6-2 at the Monterrey Open on Friday, setting up a final showdown with Diane Parry in the WTA 500 hardcourt tune-up event ahead of the U.S. Open.
Frenchwoman Parry, 23, earlier upset American fifth seed Ann Li 7-6(7) 6-4 in two hours and three minutes in the first semi-final to book her place in the final.
In the second semi-final, Bartunkova made a blistering start, breaking Mertens in the opening game before racing to a 4-1 lead. The 20-year-old secured a second break and never allowed Mertens a route back, closing out the set 6-1 after breaking serve for a third time in the final game.
France’s Diane Parry in action during her semi final match against Ann Li of the US. Reuters
After being outplayed in the opening set, Mertens battled back in the second from a 3-0 deficit. The 30-year-old turned the tide by breaking in three consecutive return games and winning six of the final seven games to take the set 6-4 and draw level.
Mertens carried that momentum into the decider, securing an early break for a 2-1 lead. She tightened her grip on the contest with another break in a marathon seventh game before serving out the set 6-2 to complete the comeback victory.
The US Open women’s singles main draw begins on Sunday.
Reuters
