Aug 29 (Reuters) – Belgian second seed Elise Mertens recovered from a set down to beat Czech Nikola Bartunkova 1-6 6-4 6-2 at the Monterrey Open on Friday, setting up a final showdown with Diane Parry in the WTA 500 hardcourt tune-up event ahead of the U.S. Open.
Frenchwoman Parry, 23, earlier upset American fifth seed Ann Li 7-6(7) 6-4 in two hours and three minutes in the first semi-final to book her place in the final.
In the second semi-final, Bartunkova made a blistering start, breaking Mertens in the opening game before racing to a 4-1 lead. The 20-year-old secured a second break and never allowed Mertens a route back, closing out the set 6-1 after breaking serve for a third time in the final game.
After being outplayed in the opening set, Mertens battled back in the second from a 3-0 deficit. The 30-year-old turned the tide by breaking in three consecutive return games and winning six of the final seven games to take the set 6-4 and draw level.
Mertens carried that momentum into the decider, securing an early break for a 2-1 lead. She tightened her grip on the contest with another break in a marathon seventh game before serving out the set 6-2 to complete the comeback victory.
The U.S. Open women’s singles main draw begins on Sunday.
(Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru; Editing by Stephen Coates)
