Our compatriot had a difficult start against McNally. The first three games Mertens did not find her rhythm and the American had the upper hand with her varied game.
But the 24-year-old Belgian did not give up and boosted himself. In no time, she was catching up with McNally. Although the American did not immediately make itself known.
The two challenged each other. Nice place balls, some aces from Mertens and also some mistakes on both sides. Towards the end of the first set, the 18-year-old’s frustration grew. She did not hide that. Mertens pushed through and took set 1 in.
In set two, the Belgian did not give up her lead anymore. McNally initially tried to play a bit more dynamically, but she did not shake Mertens.
Both David Goffin and Elise Mertens advance to the eighth finals in the US Open at Flushing Meadows in New York.
In the next round, a duel with the winner of the confrontation between the American second seed Sofia Kenin (WTA 4) and the Tunisian Ons Jabeur (WTA 31) awaits. Kenin won the Australian Open this year.
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