Disappointment for Ellis Mertens (WTA-17) in the UK on Tuesday. The 25-year-old Limburger was eliminated in the first round of the WTA Bull Tournament ($ 235,238) in Birmingham. Belgium No. 1 Ajla Domljanovic (WTA-72) lost 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/4) in three short sets. . 9 minutes.
‘Changing the surface is never easy,’ Mertens explained. “Besides, this is the first time in two years that I have played on the grass again. I haven’t played badly, but I still haven’t found my feet, especially in the transition from defense to attack, but in service, coming back and my footsteps. This is not yet correct. I have to admit she played well. She did not make many mistakes. Losing 7-6 in the third set was not fun, but at least I was able to decide what to do this short season. ”
Twins
For the same amount of money, Mertens could have won the match in two sets. He led 5-4 in the first set, took a set point and led 4/2 in the tiebreak. “Yeah, that’s true, though she might have won in two sets because it was so close. The truth is, I can make better use of situations where I’m overwhelmed, for example when I have a break,” he analyzed. “Maybe I should take a little more risk, especially on the grass, because I tried to change pieces, but she could not reach balance. I hit more aces (14), but also made 12 double mistakes, which is more to my taste. Anyway, I’m still in doubles. I am, so I can serve in my service and on my arrival. That is an advantage. ‘
The Mertens doubles with Taiwanese Hsi Su-wei, who was eliminated in the first round of the singles division on Monday. They start against experienced Americans Coco Vandeweghe and Samantha Stosur.
