"Stunning Victory Tennis Icon Ties 21st Century Record, Misplacing Match Count!"
Determined Belter Elise Mertens Equals Incredible Record in Gritty Semi-Final Battle
Get ready for a rollercoaster ride of unparalleled sports drama! Belgian powerhouse Elise Mertens showcased her indomitable spirit by saving a jaw-dropping 11 match points to blast her way into the Libema Open final, etching her name into the record books!
In a nerve-wracking tussle against Russia's Ekaterina Alexandrova at 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, our heroine triumphed 2-6, 7-6 (7), 6-4, leaving spectators breathless.
Mertens remarkable victory equals the record number of match points saved to secure a win in modern tennis, a feat previously accomplished by Zsofia Gubacsi at the 2001 French Open in a stunning first-round spat with Tamarine Tanasugarn.
It all started with Mertens finding herself in a precarious position after losing the first set and trailing 4-5 down in the second set, teetering on the brink of defeat at 15-40. But the world number 25 refused to crack, battling back with sheer grit and determination to claim victory!
After saving two match points to force a tiebreak, our girl found herself down 5-6, only to rise from the ashes like a phoenix and deny Alexandrova a much-deserved victory for the 11th time, clinching the game and eventually taking the match to a deciding set.
Buoyed by her miraculous comeback, the 29-year-old proved Alexandrova's resolve wasn't the only thing breaking, securing a decisive 6-4 victory in the third set, ensuring her place in the final.
Determined to savor the moment after her incredible comeback, Mertens collapsed to the ground in delight, overwhelmed by her victory. The fact that Alexandrova is a two-time champion at the tournament, having clinched back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023, only added fuel to her fire!
In an emotional interview, Mertens revealed that she was almost oblivious to the sheer number of match points she saved during the grueling encounter. "I didn't even know it was 11 , after one or two I lost count." she explained. "I was very focused on the game, which, of course, I like that about me, that I just keep going."
Mertens richly deserved triumph comes less than a week after Carlos Alcaraz's epic fightback to claim the French Open, showing that our girl is in a league of her own when it comes to fighting spirit!
Next up for Mertens is either Romanian qualifier Elena-Gabriela Ruse or Italy's Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the final, and she'll be aiming to add the Libema Open trophy to her collection, having secured her second title of 2025 after triumphing at the WTA 250 in Singapore back in February. A fitting prize for a true champion!
In the unfolding sports narrative, Elise Mertens, undeterred, prepares to face her upcoming rival either in tennis or Mixed Martial Arts, inspired by her recent record-equaling miracle comeback. As a testament to her tenacity, she aims to add the Libema Open trophy to her collection, drawing parallels with her stunning win at the WTA 250 in Singapore earlier this year.
