Elise Mertens has still more energy: “I have not the feeling that my tournament is over”

Elise Mertens (WTA 37) is currently one climax after the other in Melbourne. During her first participation at the Australian Open, the 22-year-old Limburg in the quarter-finals. Tuesday she takes in the second race in the Red Laver Arena against the Ukrainian Elina Svitolina (WTA 4). Monday was in Melbourne at the Australian Open at the Legends Day at the program. Old glories such as Martina Navratilova and Thomas Johansson praised again Elise Mertens and David Goffin.

“I was in the quarter-finals would be a big surprise for me”, and put Mertens from shore. “I have this year, lots of matches played, but for now I have it all strongholds. I felt a little tired for the match against Martic, but I have myself instilled but two or three hours of effort. And I had enough energy for.”

Mertens was preparing Monday to be peaceful for her match against Svitolina, who like Mertens this year, a tournament (Brisbane) on her name wrote. The Hamontse slept until 11: 00 and stood only between 16h00 and 17h00 on the job.

“Svitolina is the year also started well”, he continued Mertens. “I have once before against her played in the finals of the tournament in Istanbul (on the gravel) and when she has me defeated. But this is a completely other game, on hard court, in a quarterfinals of a Grand Slam. Svitolina defends well and is physically strong, but I’m also ready for it. At this moment everything is bonus, but still… I still don’t feel that my tournament is over.”

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Navratilova: “Mertens has very few weak points”

Monday was in Melbourne for the Legends Day on the program. Several old glories had been invited by the organisers and gave their opinion about the current tournament. Martina Navratilova and Thomas Johansson discussed for Belga, the Belgian spearheads, Elise Mertens and David Goffin.

The 62-year-old Navratilova opened by saying it was a small surprise to find that Elise Mertens the quarter-finals of his career. “Elise makes a big leap forward,” said the triple winner of the Australian Open. “The leaps you make between your 18th and 22nd, and Elise is doing here. I have not yet, so much of the work seen, but that will change with the party against Svitolina. She looks mentally strong, moves well and has very little weaknesses.”

Still think Navratilova that Mertens it will be difficult to get in her quarter-finals. The Czech-born American regards her opponent, Elina Svitolina (WTA 4), after all, as one of the favourites for overall victory. “If you grandslamtoernooien out of consideration, Svitolina perhaps the player that last year the best year known. She has five tournaments won. Now we have to wait how they with the press of favorite treats. Everyone is expecting a Grand Slam will win. But the tournament in the women is completely open. Except for Kerber, there is no one who ever was a Grand Slam won. Everyone has his chance.”

Johansson: “Great future for Goffin, elimination was an accident de route”

The 42-year-old Thomas Johansson, the former coach of David Goffin, could not under chairs or sofas cross that he had not expected that the Liège as soon played in Melbourne. The winner of the Australian Open of 2002 saw in his ex-poulain a contender in the race.

“In this I have made a mistake”, opened the Swede. “I really had not expected that he will be the second round would not survive. From what I have at the end of last year saw him, he was for me a contender. He won Shenzhen, Tokyo, shone at the Masters. Benneteau, moreover, was not the toughest opponent. That he should be able to assist. But perhaps his preparation is not top. He should certainly try to forget.”

“I think this is just an accident in the course and still see a big future for him to play”, he continued Johansson. “He might need to still get used to his new status, but I can still see him for years at the top. He can be everywhere shine on Roland Garros, Wimbledon, the US Open. He is in everything better. He serves better, volleyt better, but also his attitude pleases me. He dares his emotions show. Thierry Van Cleemput has very good work with him provided. For me, it’s only a matter of time before a semi-final or final of a Grand Slam.”