Elise Mertens saves two match points to deny Danielle Collins US Open duel with Coco Gauff

THE BREAK: Will the WTA Finals be held in Saudi Arabia?

A third-round showdown between Coco Gauff and Danielle Collins at the US Open nearly came together Wednesday afternoon, but ultimately fizzled when the 2022 Australian Open finalist failed to take her chances.

While Gauff cruised past Mirra Andreeva, 6-3, 6-2, her countrywoman saw an opportunity slip through her fingertips. Miracle worker Elise Mertens staved off a pair of match points in a second-set tiebreaker, then ran away to complete a 3-6, 7-6 (7), 6-1 comeback. Two days earlier, the former world No. 12 survived three match points to prevail over Mirjam Bjorklund in a final-set tiebreaker.

As one would expect in this matchup, Collins pulled the trigger more often with 45 winners to 48 unforced errors stacked up against the Belgian’s 27 to 28 ratio. The two went in opposite directions in the deciding set however, as an erratic Collins hit at a -8 differential compared to +3 from the 32nd seed.

Over the past six seasons, Mertens has been one of the toughest competitors to eliminate in the early rounds on the major stage. Since the 2018 Australian Open, the seven-time WTA titlist has reached the third round or better at 21 of 23 Grand Slam events—a stretch that included 18 straight until her first-round exit last year at Flushing Meadows.

Gauff has won both of the pair’s prior meetings, including in the round of 16 at Roland Garros last season. This will mark their first hard-court encounter.

Against Andreeva, the No. 6 seed capitalized on four of five break points and went 15 for 18 at the net to dismiss the 16-year-old after 76 minutes. The result added to Gauff’s win over Andreeva in the third round of the French Open in June.

On Court 17, Taylor Townsend wowed her home fans when she ousted No. 19 seed Beatriz Haddad Maia, 7-6 (1), 7-5. The victory sent the 27-year-old through to the third round of a singles major for the first time since achieving her best career result here four years ago when she reached the fourth round.