Round 3: No. 16 Elise Mertens (BEL) vs. Victoria Azarenka (BLR)
First match in Arthur Ashe Stadium (Night Session)
- Victoria Azarenka’s thrilling return to the limelight moves to Arthur Ashe Stadium Wednesday, as the former world No. 1 and two-time US Open finalist plays her first Grand Slam quarterfinal (17th overall) since she gave birth to her son Leo in 2016. The Belarusian, who played the final in New York in 2012 and 2013, will face Elise Mertens of Belgium, the No. 16 seed.
- Azarenka is riding a nine-match winning streak after claiming the Western and Southern Open title just over a week ago in New York. That title was her first in over four years, and her 21st overall. Azarenka began working with a new coach, Dorian Descloix, in February, and the pair seems to be generating excellent chemistry together.
- Azarenka is one of three mothers to have qualified for the quarterfinals, and while the 31-year-old is relishing her role as Leo’s mom, she says when she’s on the court she’s the same feisty Vika that held the world No. 1 ranking. “I don't identify myself on the tennis court as a mother,” she said. “I still identify myself as a tennis player. Me being in the quarterfinals, I didn't get there by being a parent. I got there by being a tennis player.”
- Mertens and Azarenka have never met before, but Azarenka will face her most difficult test of the fortnight when she goes against the versatile 25-year-old from Leuven, Belgium. Mertens, a lethal counterpuncher who has steadily improved her power game over the past few seasons, reached the quarterfinals at the US Open last year and has finished inside the WTA’s Top 20 in each of the last two seasons. Mertens sauntered past the No. 2 seed, American Sofia Kenin, 6-3, 6-3, on Day 8, for her second career Top-5 win at a Slam.
- The Belgian’s serve could be the key to the match. Azarenka has always been known as a world-class returner, and she has lived up to her reputation through four rounds in New York. The Belarusian has won 22 of 38 of her return games, while converting 22 of her 45 break points. “I think it's going to be about Elise's first serve,” said Merten’s coach Robbe Ceyssens, as he looked ahead to the contest on Tuesday. “If she can place it really well, like yesterday [in her win over Kenin], she has a good chance of being in the advantage in the rallies.”
