Elise Mertens saved a staggering 11 match points to reach the Libema Open final, and write her name into the record books.
The Belgian produced a thrilling comeback against Russia‘s Ekaterina Alexandrova at ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, winning 2-6, 7-6 (7), 6-4 in dramatic fashion.
GettyElise Mertens now has a chance to lift a tenth career title after reaching the Libema Open final[/caption]Incredibly, Mertens’ heroics saw her equal the record number of match points saved to win a tennis match this century.
Zsofia Gubacsi previously managed the same feat at the 2001 French Open in a first round victory over Tamarine Tanasugarn.
After losing the first set, Mertens found herself facing defeat in the second set at 4-5 down and trailing the 10th game 15-40.
But the world number 25 battled back, saving two match points to force a deuce.
Alexandrova then had three advantages, all of which she failed to convert, before Mertens clinched the game.
There were plenty more hairy moments in store, as Alexandrova scuppered a further five match points when she led the second set 6-5, one at 40-30 up before another four advantages.
Mertens managed to force a tiebreak, where she fell 5-6 down but denied her opponent victory for the 11th time, and went on to claim a 9-7 win to take things to a deciding set.
It looked as if Alexandrova had finally broken the 29-year-old’s resolve in the third set, when she broke to take a 4-3 lead.
But the 2018 Australian Open semi-finalist instantly broke back and won the final three games to clinch the deciding set 6-4 in remarkable fashion, and book her spot in the final.
Mertens was unable to hide her emotions after completing the incredible comeback, as she collapsed to the ground in delight.
GettyMertens battled to a stunning comeback win over her superior-ranked opponent[/caption] GettyEkaterina Alexandrova is currently number 19 in the WTA rankings[/caption]Her win was made all the more impressive by the fact that Alexandrova is a two-time champion at the tournament, having clinched back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023.
And Mertens later confessed she had been unable to keep track of just how many match points she had saved in the marathon match.
Speaking after her record-equalling heroics, she said: “I didn’t even know it was 11 , after one or two I lost count.
“I was very focused on the game, which, of course, I like that about me, that I just keep going.
“It was a difficult match, I think she started really well, and it was 6-2, 5-3 for her. I just stayed with my head in the game and gave everything I had.
“Especially in the third set, I felt like: ‘OK, this is maybe my opportunity.’ So I’m very happy I took that chance.”
GettyMertens was visibly emotional after equalling a 24-year record[/caption]Mertens’ match-saving exploits come less than a week after Carlos Alcaraz fought back to clinch the French Open with victory over Jannick Sinner, who had boasted three championship points.
The Belgian star’s incredible triumph means she is now into her first-ever grass court final, where she will face either Romanian qualifier Elena-Gabriela Ruse or Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto.
She is bidding to lift her second title of 2025 after winning the WTA 250 in Singapore in February, while victory in the Netherlands would be her 10th career title.
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