Elise
Mertens capitalizes on
Naomi Osaka's errors to advance to the fourth round with
a 7-5, 6-3 victory. The 24th seed led the score throughout the match, and
despite moments of a timid comeback from the Japanese player, Mertens
ultimately prevailed to reach the round of 16 at Indian Wells for the first
time in her career, and for the first time for a Belgian to do so since 2011 and Kim Clijsters.
The start
of the Belgian player was overwhelming, securing two consecutive breaks to take
a 3-0 lead. Osaka granted several opportunities to her opponent and showed
clear difficulties in landing her first serve. Despite a rough start, Osaka had
moments of brilliance on the court, managing to level with her opponent by
breaking back in her only two opportunities.
Playing a
significant portion of points with her second serve, Osaka maintained parity in
the set until 5-5. At that point, Mertens capitalized on the constant errors
from the former world No. 1, winning 10 of the last 11 points played to claim
the set 7-5. Osaka had only a 32% first-serve percentage, which proved costly
against an opponent of Mertens' caliber.
The
advantage provided tranquility to Mertens, who appeared less pressured and
reduced her unforced errors in the second set. She quickly took a 2-0 lead and
maintained it thanks to her service. The four-time Grand Slam champion found
her rhythm again and capitalized on her third break opportunity in the sixth
game to level at 3-3.
Despite the
comeback, Mertens broke back in the next game and then held the set's lead from
her service. With the score 5-4 in favor of the Belgian, Osaka had three break
opportunities, all of which she squandered with unforced errors from her
backhand, allowing Mertens to close out the match and secure the victory 7-5,
6-3 in one hour and 53 minutes of play.
As the Belgian player was busy handshaking umpire and Osaka, her coach could not hold it together anymore and broke in tears, hiding his head in his hands, giving way to what must have been, months of deep struggle and emotions.
The world
No. 28 will face the local favorite and third seed Coco Gauff in the round of
16, who earlier defeated
Lucia Bronzetti 6-2, 7-6(5).