joining us welcome to monaster in Tunisia in the hotel scanes for day four of main draw action from the Y open presented by and the second round match between the the number one seed here and these Mertens on your screen and the release of Germany this tournament is in its third year and is the 17th of 23 scheduled WTA 250 events on the tour this season and Le Mertens well yet to taste defeat here in monaster this is her third appearance in three Runnings of the event and she's won the first two and she won last year without dropping a set she dropped 21 games across five matches last last year only dropped two sets in 10 appearances on these courts so for leas who is making her tournament debut in the main draw a big ask ahead of her just caught a glimpse there of our chair ire and it's associate of Tunisia who is uh just getting the Bridge open for mer to uh get water out and she'll make her way out into the middle and we can hear what the chair onire has to say I'm sure there won't be anything new so let's listen in hello ladies so same of play if you remind us 25 seconds between points please short clock in operation for the towers ever you go with B please and Elise you go with the brown okay TV change over and that machine any questions heads ORS heads go Ser have a good one Le wins the toss not to serve must be a uh little Le to always give this call the toss away so round two match number one C Le Mertens up against a Le of Germany so number one seat we're at the top half of the draw top quarter of the draw and both players uh in straight set wins in round one Merton dropping just two games and N beating Sereno three and five son and Min the other two players in this half of the duel so Elise Mertens the number one C 28 years of age uh 5' 10 or 1 M 79 currently ranked 32nd in the world but that high of 12 came in November of 2018 at Eight titles including as you can see here champion monaster in 2022 and 2023 five times she's been a runner up in her career on the main draw one of which was this season in hobot when she lost to Navaro in three accomplished doubles player as well finished last year ranked two but currently ranked third in the world has 21 titles to her name including the Australian Open this year with SI coming off the back of our round the 16 run at the US Open where she lost to sabalenka looking for a first quarter appearance since Charleston in April also made the quarter final very relas uh she's 22 years of age 5 for five on one met 65 ranked 126th in the world currently high of 108 back in July this year no titles to a name yet three on the ITF two two on the hard courts her last and biggest win came in no the w60 EV there in 22 as she reached movera in three sets uh SOI finalist in Budapest this year lost to schneer in two that's the only back-to-back win she's had on the main tour this year came through qualification to make the main draws at the French Open wimon and the US Open lost in the last round of qualification at the Australian Head to Head the first two on the main confirmation I should say of the [Applause] chair so the weather how's that Wing going still looking a little bit Breezy 5.66 getting difficult 1 minut the CH Le came back from a a break deficit in both sets again Sereno going through just under two hours getting or atoning for the loss to Sereno at the w60 camber event in January of 23 just her sixth top 100 win of the Season un should to watch your team 2023 the 22y old is eyeing her top 100 debut well it's getting close had three quarter fin in the last 14 months looking out for a fifth top 50 win and the first of the Season she's had 14 matches against players inside the top 50 14 and is 0 and six this year so this round two match here the Yasmin open it's Mertens against lease well merens hasn't won more than one match in 14 of her last 19 tournaments she had a third round in Toronto fourth round mention the US Open to instill some confidence but she'll be wary of leas will come into this as the favorite so it's Lee serving from that far end ni she got that 15 couldn't play the back at N/A you feel got to get a decent start in this contest zero counts L 14 oh merens breaks comfortably to take an early lead and it's something she did very well in her Opening match because against sakova 626 love she won all return games so Le needs just to try and find a foothold in this mt's service game G zero 5 number so first point of the contest for Le where's the Ukrainian colors on the side of her visor with her parents from Ukraine 1 for 14 15 that is a magn magificent lob from merens leas threatening to come to the net and the backand lob spot on Z love 15 for [Applause] so first point on her serve for leas that's more like [Applause] it for hand to the Mer's back hand then a lovely back hand down the line all time P all d [Applause] now the font 4 30 count up juice please I see I want refs there's another return game one by Le Merton she's got a double break already in this second round match and she's got the spring in her step as she heads for the chairs first sit down in this one and Merton's lead three love for e [Music] time so Mertens with a double break looking to make it for love [Applause] guys good you up H to a z got one two zero 14 love big serve out wide and merens is trundling along here she's lost just one point in two service games and he hereit is just one just four points as she serves to try and get a foothold in this opening set [Applause] these things can change quickly she might be struggling right now but just needs something to spark into life and M to drop off a little bit alter Zer touch it up [Music] yes well [Applause] done count to zero good call coverage and leas gets herself on the scoreboard Little Steps by Little Steps she's still a double break down but she finally holds to love for I [Music] Ty so meron's at 4-1 15 [Music] [Applause] so here's a chance six points in a row for lease starting to click for her as thoughts 15 1 go [Music] H time 30 down the make good up 4 30 oh she's missed it chance was there but just a little strong 51 to the good so these serving to stay in this opening set w now we're done Z love 15 guys up 50 [Music] [Applause] th yeah what done just dropping a little short merant ha that's f [Music] [Applause] 4 and a chance to make Mertens honest and serve out this first set count up yes [Applause] so here is a set point well done well [Applause] save yes really well played lovely back hand [Music] M with another chance yeah really well played well constructed [Applause] Point here got to juice just pushed it got it meron wraps up the first set have the third time of asking great start to this second round match by Elise Merton half an hour to take the first set 61 oh [Music] why J e okay time over Le just taking a break from Center Courts worldwind to the first set she needs to try and regroup quickly Merton serving start of the second set [Applause] Z 15 love Alo Z touch it up to Zer 14 love [Applause] so merens starts the second where she finish the first rattling through a service game to lead one love and well when we have a look at the stats least has won just three points on the Merton serve in that first set and well 28 points to 15 any twice as many points for the number one seed who is 78% on second serves to about up that 67% first percentage so is difficult task for lease she's got to hope that Mertens drops off her game a little bit and she can find an extra gear or two to try and make more of a contest of this second set show glimpses of it in that second set in the middle and she had that run of six points nice change up a Ser Z up can up no H 135 nicely done down one go 14 15 really well worked and a powerful backand to bring about the point now the 40 G [Applause] time juice oh merens battling to keep that ball alive asking least to play one more shot let person play the points avantage and merens gets the early break he's had a chance at 4050 couldn't take it and she's on the back foot once again down set Z 1 up just dropping to shallow Mertens and Le onto it in a Flash had all the options there did Le big serve down the tap 13 15 [Music] out 14 1 [Applause] FS it's 405 for sh that's M's turn to that a 405 lead slip yes [Music] that there's that goto serve down the middle being really effective in this contest might go down as an ace but it's as good as no stay it out got juice for and here's a chance chance to break for Elise Mother Maria watching on for hard for this can she convert it down done it done it leas breaks to get herself back on serve in this second set really well played now can she build on that after this change of ends she gets the reward for her hard work e time so aise looking to try and get herself back on level terms having just broken big Mark G 5 here all from the chat out Alto z c it [Music] down to Z and Le going along really nicely now finding a rhythm [Music] [Music] and Le HS without the loss of a point it's just starting to click for her Zas goes for the change of Racket but just starting to become more of a battle for her [Music] that's up 15 I see thank you Mertens has come off the ball and this is what we're talking about in the first set it only needs Merton to drop off a little bit at least to find a gear or two for things to change and well that might well be happening here oh yes and here are two break points two more break points remember she was love two down in this set lease turn count 3040 count SOA Management in that sir yes she's missed it another breako opportunity well Silence from the chair Mar's convinced that hits the line she doesn't win this point that could Pro very interesting in terms of what it does mentally to the number one [Applause] seed oh she's pulled it wide and leas from love two downs now has the break of serve to lead 32 brilliant turnaround from The Young German and it's now Merton who has to come up with the answers all time [Music] so lease a break up now in this second set can she consolidate that break by holding serve here [Music] how about that for a cross call forand what got it 1 15 she's playing beautifully now there's leas right onto the line two points from a 42 lead absolutely putting full force through that four trying to outow opponent but at least on that occasion loses the point but has navigated that tricky start beautifully well chance for merens though to apply some pressure to Lisa she can win this point she can't down the 40 30 let's for brilliant from Le man got who would have thought at love two at the start of this second set she'd be 42 up but she is and it's Merton who is the one who's struggling now [Applause] Z love hater Z [Applause] T about that for a return unbelievable [Applause] and Merton has very much lost her way in this second set now F 40 30 it's a second serve that's been hilles Hill in this second set Martens and it continues to [Applause] be just three points on 12 second serves in this second set compared to four from five in the [Music] first oh and the net cor comes back on a side and here's a chance for a double break FAS [Applause] G number two juice [Applause] now Tage please [Music] well Le has another breaker serve and now of this change of ends will be serving for the second set five games on the bounce for her can she make it six to take us to a decider this is a toxy turby second round match I for time [Music] Z well I'm sure there's going to be a few nerves for leas but she's worked really hard to get in this position now can she convert it well from Merton's point of view she's now got to hope that she can raise her game by a few percentage points through a couple of gears and hope at least drops off because the momentum of this contest has completely swung about Mertens winning eight of the first nine games games and she hasn't won any of the last five just goes to show it's not how you start these matches it's how you finish them and if leas can finish the stronger the two then she'll be in the quarterfinals at the expense of the two-time defending Champion Al there still plenty of tennis to go mer dumps it into the Nets 14 and here is an unlikely set point after the end of game two but a thoroughly deserved set point at the end of game eight perhaps a little bit tight juice [Music] [Music] [Applause] get another chance let's yeah she's done it aise a scream of delight and then calmly strolls to the chair six games on the bouns turns this match on its head we need to go to a third okay [Music] is a l this okay c cour m 5 minutes starting [Music] free through her Opening Service games lost what one point in her first service game none in her second two in a third none in a fourth but from that moment on it's been a real struggle for Mertens the second serve starting to splutter and leas has seized on that opportunity mer now staring to take break there was me thinking your mother was sitting absolutely gigantic she was and she was Crouch down but W remarkable turn around and the the second serve points percentage completely switched in the first set Merton was at 80% and leas here was at 22 in the second set Merton's 21% leas 88 Merton's first Ser percentage also dropped off first serve points went down from 80 to 67 where leases went from 53- 5050 six break points offered up by Mertens or I should say offered up earnt and offered up she can save three Le gave up one defended it return points first set return point won by lease three from 15 second set return points won by lease 17 from 32 huge turnaround three breaks res sered to one in favor of lease in that second set meron's using all her experience to try and just gather herself she will be serving first in this third set so if it goes on ser and we as we get towards the end we contest the scoreboard pressure might come into play [Applause] meron's back from her bathroom break has that break as that change of scene going to help us shift the momentum of this contest because at the moment the number one seed in that's only the third set she's lost here in uh well dear and the first time she's lost a set since the quarterfinals back in 2022 how does she respond well let's find out let for what [Music] [Music] [Applause] love Z love was just wide some big points coming up for Merton here [Music] J at Point 153 oh now two break points it's that problematic second sir once again that is undone the meron service game and it's Le who takes the opening game of this deciding set and she leads in the contest for the very first time let's have a look at the second set summary 90 non forc there is just five winners from Merton in deficit by 14 Leasing credit by two an extraordinary turnaround in this contest now can leas consolidate this breaker serve [Music] the all from the chat you missed that he call was late uh Ellis what are youing no ell he you missed the ball you missed the ball and then he called it he he didn't affect your shot didn't affect your shot El is called didn't affect you that does look on the line I have to say we don't get the sound [Applause] 133 [Applause] got 14 15 [Applause] so one of these next two points to consolidate the break of serve just one required and Elise finds herself on completely the opposite end of the spectrum to where she was at this point in the second set when she was love two down she's now two love up and it's Mertens who's got to try and turn this one around just an extraordinary change of Fortune [Applause] good up [Applause] okay Mertens a couple of looks at those no Hawkeye call upon so it's old school oh [Applause] yeah well to control that really high bouncing ball what [Applause] and here are two more break points and leas has the double break she's three love to the good what a start to this deciding set for the young German and Mertens is in all sorts of troubles now least three love to the good in the decider for time well lease serving for a four love lead [Applause] 5 up [Music] [Applause] there go 15 [Applause] trying to go over the high five than that done it what a shot what a point 4 30 unbelievable from least [Applause] [Applause] big couple of points coming up here oh just a ripping backand down the line how many of those have we seen in this contest yeah got to yes the double fault gives Merton a break point opportunity [Applause] good serve down the middle saves the break point please puts it into the neck a double break that has been Consolidated just an extraordinary contest and the match it reminds me about the most is the quarterfinal at the ASB classic in Orland back in 2017 I know that's a long time ago but it's stuck in the memory faki against gorz faki first set 61 she was on fire and then gorgas finally suddenly found a switch came back to win the next two sets six uh three six P this is something similar because it was so one-sided in that opening set cuz as I mentioned it's not about how you start it's about how you finish [Applause] there's still points to play for Mertens is not out of it mountain is just getting bigger a 15 Phil merens really has to hold this service game love five would be a pretty tricky one for her to come back from nothing's impossible because you wouldn't have put leas in this position two games inter set two would you oh it was there it was there for two more break point to she over hits it ah try to go down there line over the high side of the net High part of the net can't make it and here is a point to get Mertens on the board Christopher he in his corner [Music] oh missed it well there were chances in that game for least to go five love up couldn't take them Merton's on the scoreboard but still a long way to go if she is to complete this comeback Le leads 4-1 Dr spe time so here we go Lee serving for a 51 lead [Applause] love te [Applause] get f [Applause] th 15 C [Music] [Applause] 15 so here's a chance to get one of those breaks back got it well one of the two has been retrieved brilant stuff from Merton she must hold here long as she can keep leas at four games just gives her a little bit of wiggle room Z good up that's an excellent shot Le shows her appreciation with a little clap this is a great Gap running forehand 1 15 let's go that's forer dou fault makes this next Point super important and there's a point for 34 4 okay [Applause] that back hand's been a thing of beauty tonight it's down the line of Cross Court depth on the forehand depth on the backhand down [Music] [Applause] that that looked from this angle as if it was on the line not sure we'll be able to tell from oh no maybe not so a chance for a five to two lead [Applause] here yes you can tell least far more relaxed of the two understandably so meron's in a real battle here that can't to good again Miss big Point here police can win it she'll have at least two chances to serve this match out [Applause] the second set second set has been even worse than the second set one point in 10 for Mertens set two it was three from 14 meron's absolutely merciless on those ground strokes he's doing everything she can within her power to stay with the number one seed but in the end the pressure told me come on come on what here got two juice yeah yeah want me got [Applause] to juice let's for s [Music] out avantage me of mer hold as she had to do to consolidate that one break of serve she's got back she still needs another Le leads 43 in the deci for e [Applause] time let's go so lease serving at 43 push good replay the point [Applause] 15 Just Too Short from leas Merton to find that back hand [Music] one guys out 1 on [Applause] 30 this time it's the forehand down the line [Applause] onter 30 off [Music] St it's an absolute Ripper from lease down 4 1 oh count up yes [Applause] so here's a chance to level it up well leas rattled off six games from love two in the second set burons rattle off the required number of games from love four in the third set extraordinary stuff here we're all square in the final set 51 minutes of EB and Flo in this third set for [Applause] out well now it's a time for leas to have her mental strength examined CL zero [Applause] go [Applause] TR points 1 in this final set oh yes everybody just stretching to the absolute limit to stay in this one we are all square 30 all super overhead when it comes to three set matches get to the deci up merens is on seven from 13 this year least one from three to long oh now got herself back on level turns mer the last thing she needs to do is drop her serve here [Music] and she has dropped her serve and leas will now have a chance to serve for the match off this change of end think she says well she's got a couple of minutes to do just that get now get now get [Applause] time so here we go after about 2 15 minutes on court May at lease world number 126 has a chance to serve for the match against Elise Merton world number 32 number one seed here in monasa z [Applause] love oh no looking a little tight adrenaline pumping oh night C takes it away Z love 14 what an extraordinary contest this is turning out to be the let's leas down GES five all in the final set unbelievable from four love up leas she had a chance to serve for the match and we said that the longer that M could keep Le at four games it gave G her more of a chance she didn't have the luxury of serving for the match twice and serving for the match once she couldn't deal with the pressure down Z 5 last time she got herself back on level terms smens lost her serve she could hold here well that's a different type of pressure on leas Z and is it all unraveling for the young German inside of the Finish Line surely it's not going to finish how it started for it [Applause] 135 that's a huge serve and two points here for a 65 lead and Mer hammers down and Ace and she leads 65 and now leas will serve to stay in the match how this contest has Twisted and turned quite remarkable e sor [Applause] T come on come on go [Applause] so what a match what a game we've got here least serving to stay in the match [Applause] 5 what an angle she's found that oh yes hter Z another the frame shot sits up forehand is dispatched down to [Applause] Z so three points to take us to a tie break and we do have ourselves a third set tie break to the side who progresses to the quarterfinals Elise Merton's the number one seed he release the world number 126 well Mertens this year play Four tie breaks one-1 lost three and has a 4547 win loss ratio in her career leas has played 212 and has a play three 13 career tiebreak record at tour level [Music] oh no surely not rain falling tie break and the players no are going to go off can you believe it what a shame because they build up such tension oh the WEA the gods God you can't believe it that's pretty heavy I can't really play in that oh no huge disappointment it was building so nicely but alas the rug is pulled out from underneath everyone's feet everyone was so invested in it and all that momentum all those nerves well can you believe it little Shake of the head from Al Le Mertens oh weather can be so cruel sometimes let's just see if we can see what radar is uh suggesting oh have to say can't see any rain the radar pitchure that I'm looking at there obviously not to say there isn't rain cuz clearly it's falling but I just wonder hopefully this rain won't last too long 4% chance of rain it's just such a shame for the players because such an entertaining contest it's just well just sucked all the energy out of the the game B boys and bull girls doing their best to dry the lines so hopefully that will uh appease the players on the chair onire so working hard to get the players back out on the court as quickly as possible where are we terms of matching statistics the first Ser percentage in favor of least but first serve point1 very much in favor of Merton the Maria can't believe it look up at the sky it's pretty dark up not sure you're going to see much through those flood lights second Ser points one 55% lease 30% Mertens across the yeah can I can I get three sets to this point Mer's had 11 break points it's convered five oh sorry she saved five break points of 11 that she's faced and Lisa's saved three of 10 that she's faced so that's the seven breaks serve for Merton six breaks of serve for leas Martens just checking t well minimal damage done you just wonder what it's done to the momentum for both players so I said real shame given where we' got to in the contest any chair will Do's got something in her eye it's all going on Z 1 Z mer M opens up with a point on [Applause] serve one Hon's not happy close is aner Management in that hit [Music] [Music] there are two one this so all points on serve the start of this tie break was in it was on the line on at least in that line that line is is so tough to to to correct it is I mean it's not yeah because you are in front of the line we don't have the same mistakes this is you cannot make these mistakes you don't have the same angle El you are in front of the line I'm on the a lot of mistakes come on replace her how the hell can we she call him out [Applause] [Applause] Hon's revving himself up certainly feel happier to have won that point what she felt was a controversial line call very hard to call isn't it happen so quickly get oh great Gap from Merton but in the end can't stop Le winning the point interestingly just From meron's perspective it won't matter so much because you're going to change ends in a minute but does it stop her going for that serve down the middle because she doesn't have faith in the line judge and subsequently does it make the defense for leas that much easier because she knows that perhaps merens won't go down the midddle and the mini break is [Applause] regained well deep breaths required all around it's been some contest this over 2 and a half hours in this third St oh it's taking an hour and 20 minutes just [Applause] underly taking longer than the first two sets combined that much we [Applause] know so leas at three all that's 4 three Miss so two serves coming up from Merton two really big serves think says Mom keep concentrating Ser for the match then she leas at 5'4 got broken to love oh missed it got [Applause] let Preserve for y up 5 and two points coming on the Le serve now so a real opportunity for her if she can stay loose and focused another glorious back [Applause] hand and here are two match points [Applause] 64 leas this takes a [Applause] moment she'll have one on her serve and if needed one on Merton's and she just needs the one on her serve a huge shot here Monas because a the world number 126 has defeated the world number 32 and two-time defending champion in Le merens she was down and out out in the first set she lost eight of the first nine games but bounced back to take it two sets to one it's her first win of the season they a player inside the top 50 the final score 1 16 62 76 well extraordinary stuff from aise a lead merens battle hard and well you thought maybe she would have the advantage as we came to the back end of that third set given her experience but leas well brilliant having been broken to love serving for the match she then held to love to stay in the match and then negotiated the tie break 74 to maintain her 100% WTA tour tie break record and book her place in the quarterfinals a match that lasted 2 hours and 40 minutes and she is doing plenty of autograph signing behind her bench hopefully we'll get a word with her might have to go and grab her because she could be there for a very long time if uh someone doesn't go and grab it got another match to play as well so it's good she wants to give back to the fans just getting yourself something to drink it's let's hope we can grab a word with her because uh be fascinating to hear her reaction and she's gone back in for the autographs leas well it's her second quarterfinal of the season after budha pest she turned into a a semifinal and what a moment for her big big win this for a quest for a top 100 spot continues well maybe he told that you got to get in there and tell them okay let's he from a performance how do you feel right now first of all I didn't expect that many viewers so thank you everyone who came out today and was rooting for me I know it's pretty late the weather is also not so good so thanks a lot and obviously I'm very happy it was a really tough match also mentally I started cramping in the third set so it was a big trouble to really keep the intensity but uh again I'm really really happy I could I could win the tie break you in today against two-time Jasmine Open winner um it's not easy I mean I'm going to be honest I think it's a little bit easier than maybe for her because she knows she won it twice so she probably has expectations and for me she's a way better ranked player I don't have anything to lose uh so I could just play freely and I mean it took me one set to kind of find my groove but uh yeah I didn't have many expectations I feel like just having fun is for me the most important thing and uh yeah I didn't have a lot of fun uh in the tiebreaker it was I got very nervous but uh yeah again I'm I'm really happy with my performance today seeing you in the first set like everybody say okay merens is controlling now and after that you did did something really exceptional how did you manage your energy how did you manage your opponent it wasn't easy I mean I'm going to be honest she started very well I did not expect her to not do a single mistake she had an amazing serf but um I feel like towards the end of the first set I could get my game a little bit better and um I stepped One Step more into the court because I was so far away and I felt that she was struggling with it like even if it was a 61 I think towards the end uh we had like more closer uh games so in the second set I saw she's struggling and I know every player has like a moment where you have to be there so I tried to do that and at the end of the day it worked now all the tunisians who visiting here justment open in 2024 or even before 2023 now all eyes on you I mean again I'm not uh setting any expectations to high I feel like especially after today's match the next matches are going to be tougher and tougher so I'm not going to accept expect myself to win the tournament but I think I have a listen why not I'm I'm just happy I'm healthy I'm happy I'm I'm playing very well and I'm enjoying every second I can get on Court and that's my goal for this week thank you very much I want you to answer me the same questions but in German for your fan for your for your country sorry again you can answer me now in German the same questions can you can you repeat the question please can you speak in German for the TV for the German fan yeah okay than mer thank you very much yeah congratulations to AA brilliant performance booking her place in the next round let's have a look then at the final match summer uh 45 unfall St to 42 but 11 more winners than Merton at back and was firing beautifully at one one less Point than Mertens but that doesn't matter it's all about the stats at the very top three two sets to one across the three sets plenty of great points for both players as well to try and exploit and in the draw it means Lee awaits the winner of our final second round match that's coming up now on Center Court sunz against Min the number six seed but not a good draw for seeds in the top half and the only one left in it well what a match a Elise defeating the two-time champion Elise Mertens in three sets it was an absolute Titanic struggle brilliant performance by the youngster and she'll be back in the [Applause] quarterfinals [Music] [Music] [Music] e e ladies and gentlemen we have reaching the last match of the day at the J open 2024 as a final contest of the day and Falls two exceptional players are set to deliver aant performance those competitors e to secure a win and make their Mark in the tournament an exciting and high quality match ladies