"After one or two I lost the count": Elise Mertens survives 11 match points to reach Libema Open final

Elise Mertens survived a dramatic semifinal match at the Libema Open in 's-Hertogenbosch against Ekaterina Alexandrova. The Belgian tennis player will play her third final of the season – though it will be the first time she reaches a grass-court final in her career.

It has been an impeccable path for the world No. 25, who survived a true battle to claim victory over two-time champion Alexandrova, who won the tournament in both 2022 and 2023. This time, Alexandrova was on the verge of reaching the final again, but Mertens saved an incredible 11 match points before claiming a 2-6, 7-6[9-7], 6-4 victory.

Mertens had a first set to forget – with 10 double faults and falling 2-6 after barely 30 minutes. In the second set, the Belgian managed to even things out, but a break at an opportune moment left her trailing 3-5, and it seemed all set for Alexandrova to claim the win. However, Mertens mounted an epic comeback. She saved 5 match points while serving at 4-5, and then saved another 5 match points against her when serving at 5-6.

In the tie-break, both players held advantages at certain moments, with constant mini-breaks for each. This time, Alexandrova squandered her 11th match point (this time on her serve) and ended up conceding the set after an hour and 32 minutes. Mertens was not going to waste the opportunity and closed out the victory in the third set 6-4 – again recovering from a break down.

"I didn’t even know it was 11, after one or two I lost count," Mertens said, after her comeback. "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."

The Belgian will vie for the title this Sunday – her first on grass courts – against the surprising qualifier Elena-Gabriela Ruse, who defeated Bianca Andreescu on her way and is playing the third final of her career (the previous two in 2021, with one title and one runner-up).