Saturday in the Californian desert, the Belgian N.1 won in two small sets – 6-2, 6-1 – and 68 minutes of play against the Ukrainian Marta Kostuyk, 19 years old and 54th in the world. The Limburger was trailing 0-2 in the first set but then won twelve of the following thirteen games against Maryna Zanevska (WTA 68) faller in the first round.
In the 3rd round, Mertens, 26, will challenge the 28-year-old Australian Daria Saville (WTA 409), from the qualifications, or the Tunisian Ons Jabeur, 27 and 10th player in the world.
In the process on the court N.9, Alison Van Uytvanck (WTA 58) will meet the Kazakh Elena Rybakina (WTA 20/N.17).
