Skip to main content

Mertens roars back to down Bartunkova and set up Monterrey final with Perry

Belgium's Elise Mertens celebrates after winning her semi-final match against the Czech Republic's Nikola Bartunkova
Belgium's Elise Mertens celebrates after winning her semi-final match against the Czech Republic's Nikola BartunkovaReuters / Daniel Becerril

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 ‌US 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.

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.

Follow the Monterrey final with Flashscore!

Final winning probabilities
Final winning probabilitiesFlashscore

The US Open women's singles ⁠main draw begins ⁠on Sunday.

 

US Open 2026

The US Open was the fourth and final Grand Slam of the 2026 tennis season, running from August 30th to September 13th. It is a hard-court tournament held at Flushing Meadows in New York City. Follow the links below for more information!

Latest US Open news | Men's singles results | Women's singles results

Prefer Flashscore on GoogleSee our stories more often
AddAdd on Google

Chances are you’re about to lose.

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au