Mertens reaping rewards in career-best season

Players complaining of fatigue as the season draws to a close has been a common theme at the China Open this week. But when Tennismash caught up with Elise Mertens, the Belgian was bouncing with excitement about what the final weeks of the season hold for her.

The 22-year-old has qualified for the WTA Finals in doubles alongside Dutch partner Demi Schuurs and currently sits 10th in the singles race.

An early singles loss in Beijing – she was beaten by eventual quarterfinalist Zhang Shuai in three sets – ended her hopes of also qualifying for the WTA Finals in singles. However, the silver lining is she should still qualify for the WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai the following week.

“To be going to Singapore in doubles and Zhuhai in singles, at the beginning of the year I would never have thought that would happen at all,” Mertens said with a big smile.

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The Belgian has improved her singles ranking from No.36 in January to sit at a career-high No.14. Three titles helped her rapid rise; she defended her Hobart crown as well as winning Lugano and Rabat. An Australian Open semifinal run – where she defeated seeded-players Daria Gavrilova and Elina Svitolina in a sensational tournament debut – was a major highlight.

“Defending Hobart was my goal at first,” Mertens said, admitting reaching her first Grand Slam semifinal was unexpected.

“I just kept playing and I was kind of in a zone and kept winning.”

Mertens’ success in doubles has been just as impressive, winning 33 matches alongside Schuurs. They won titles in Hobart, ‘s-Hertogenbosch and Wuhan, as well as reaching finals in Birmingham and Cincinnati. Only three other teams have earnt more points so far this season.

Book your flights, ladies!@elise_mertens and Demi Schuurs win @wuhanopentennis and become the 4th team to qualify for @WTAFinalsSG. pic.twitter.com/UIFTU6IQGO

— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) September 29, 2018

Mertens also tasted success with Fed Cup teammate Kirsten Flipkens, with the duo winning the Lugano title.

After starting 2018 ranked No.45 in doubles, Mertens now sits at a career-high No.15 and is projected to climb even higher following a China Open semifinals run with Schuurs this week.

Only one other player, Australia’s Ashleigh Barty, is currently ranked inside the top 20 in both singles and doubles.

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There have been challenges – with several changes to her coaching team as Mertens’ tries to find the right fit – but with such promising results, it is no surprise her spirits are high.

“It’s been a great year for sure,” she said.