Mertens Delivers Clean Win for Belgium in Sydney
Elise Mertens shakes off the off-season rust with a commanding straight-sets victory over Zhu Lin, putting Belgium ahead in the United Cup’s Group B opener amid the electric Sydney atmosphere.
In the sun-baked intensity of Sydney’s Ken Rosewall Arena, Elise Mertens wasted no time stamping her authority on the United Cup’s opening day. The Belgian top seed dismantled China’s Zhu Lin 6-2, 6-2 in just 1 hour and 18 minutes, her fourth win in five career meetings, to give her country a 1-0 lead in Group B. Heavy topspin forehands pinned Zhu deep, while quick footwork turned defense into inside-in winners that clipped the lines, all under the rising cheers of a packed crowd.
Mertens, launching her 12th WTA season, absorbed the pressure of carrying Belgium’s hopes with a tactical edge honed over years. Zhu, the 31-year-old veteran rebounding from an elbow injury that sank her to No. 493 in August 2025, entered ranked No. 168 after a fourth-round push at the WTA 1000 in Montreal. Yet the Chinese No. 6 struggled against Mertens’ depth, her flat groundstrokes skidding short on the quick hardcourts.
“I’m very happy to be back and to start on a good note,” Mertens said afterwards. “First match is about getting the balls, getting the mentality and everything, so I’m very happy that I could close out this one.”
She broke serve six times, snatching five of the first six games and four straight from 1-1 in the second set—even as her first-serve percentage dipped below 50% after the interval.
Baseline control disrupts early rhythm
Mertens thrived on Sydney’s pacey surface, where her topspin generated extra bounce to force Zhu into awkward stretches. Crosscourt backhands pulled the Chinese player wide, opening the court for down-the-line passes that exploited any hesitation. Zhu’s aggressive inside-out forehands showed her late-2025 resurgence, but Mertens anticipated the patterns, stepping inside the baseline to take balls on the rise and redirect with precision.
The crowd’s energy built with each break, Belgian flags waving amid the international buzz, as Mertens uncoiled the tension from preseason weeks. Her one–two combination of deep returns and forehand attacks settled any nerves, turning the match into a rhythm of dominance. Zhu fought with looping topspin, yet unforced errors mounted when Mertens varied pace with low slices that skimmed the net.
Breaks highlight form disparity
Exploiting Zhu’s second serve became Mertens’ weapon, winning points with aggressive chips that drew her forward into vulnerable positions. The hardcourt grip allowed Mertens’ heavy balls to skid through, while Zhu’s flatter shots occasionally betrayed her, especially in longer rallies where endurance told. Even with the serve wobble in set two, Mertens leaned on placement—kicking second serves wide to the backhand—to reset neutral exchanges she dictated.
Zhu’s elbow held, but the mental strain of Mertens’ consistency eroded her resolve, the arena lights casting long shadows as errors piled in key moments. This victory, blending tactical smarts with emotional poise, positions Mertens as Belgium’s anchor in the team format. Her ability to channel national expectations into play sets a resilient tone for the group stage.
Next up, Bergs chases the sweep
With the tie leaning Belgium’s way, Zizou Bergs, the ATP No. 42, takes the court against Zhang Zhizhen, another former World No. 31 rebuilding from setbacks. A win there clinches the day against China, building on Mertens’ momentum. Track the action via United Cup: Scores | Standings as Group B heats up in Sydney.
Mertens’ performance, a mix of baseline grind and adaptive fire, primes her for the season’s demands, where every point in team play amplifies the stakes. As tougher opponents loom, this opener feels like a psychological launchpad, her poise under pressure hinting at deeper runs ahead.
