Mertens defeats Kenin, advances to 2nd straight US Open quarterfinal

After suffering a pair of tight three-set losses in 2019, Belgium's Elise Mertens finally exacted revenge on Sofia Kenin, the tournament's highest ranked remaining player, with a convincing 6-3, 6-3 victory.

“It was a horror night for Kenin,” said ESPN’s Renee Stubbs. “[Mertens] is not the player you want to play if you’re playing bad, because she will not miss.”

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The 2020 Australian Open champion thrives on her counterpunching ability and tennis IQ. If there is a weakness, she will surely find, and expose it. But what makes Mertens so troublesome is that she posseses no real weakness, she’s one of the games steadiest players. That, and her backhand is every bit as good as Kenin’s.

Mertens raced to a 5-1 lead in the first set before Kenin knew what hit her. By the time Kenin raised her level and won two consecutive games, it was too late— Mertens punctuated the end of the first set with a picture-perfect open stance backhand winner.

Mertens maintained the momentum and provided more of the same in the second set, just in reverse order. Kenin trailed 3-2 before losing seven of eight points, and four of the final five games. From start to finish, Mertens was locked and loaded, striking 20 winners and only giving up seven unforced errors.

Mertens will next face Victoria Azarenka for a spot in the final four. The world No. 27 slipped past Karolina Muchova 5-7, 6-1, 6-4.