Champion Elise Mertens poses with the Qatar Total Open winner’s trophy on the podium next to President of the Qatar Tennis Federation Nasser Al Khelaifi, on Saturday.
Not quite the poster girl of the tennis world just yet but Belgium’s Elise Mertens knew a steady game would help her beat three top-10 players in Doha last week.
The 23-year-old on Saturday stunned former champion Simona Halep 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 to lift the Qatar Total Open in a battle that lasted more than two hours at the Khalifa Tennis Complex.
“I was really happy the way I played this week. I’m happy about the process that I made. Maybe at the start playing less well and then get better every match,” Mertens said after beating the 2014 champion in Doha.
It was Mertens’ fifth Tour title win in six finals.
“You know, that’s why you do it, beating those top 10 players, getting the victory at the end,” the Belgian added.
“I think it’s the process of this week, giving me confidence, beating those three top 10 players,” Mertens said of her wins over No.8 Kiki Bertens, No.6 Angelique Kerber and No.3 Halep in the final.
“I found my way,” Mertens said of her loss in the first set in the title clash.
“I didn’t really look good (during the) first set. I think it’s just the process. She’s a great player. I just kept believing that I could actually do it.
“I didn’t expect to be in a final this week. Of course you work for it, but (in) tennis (it) could go either ways. I mean, they were all amazing players in this draw.
“Consistency is one of the key things to be a top player. I think Kiki Bertens already did a good job last year and this year. That was a really tough match for me (in the quarter-finals). I think it was all good, the progress that I made this week,” Mertens said.
Mertens said coach David Taylor’s advice during breaks was key to her beating Halep.
“He said, ‘stay positive, stay in the game’, that I ‘deserve to be here’, that I ‘deserve to be in the final’ after this week. He said that I’m ‘playing well this week’,” Mertens revealed.
“(He asked me) to be aggressive on the court. I think that was the main thing. To not step back, to let me play. That was the main thing, not to get back behind the line,” she added.
“(He kept telling me) to keep accelerating, to let her run, to come in maybe sometimes with a volley, he said.
“That mindset was right and necessary. He told me to stay positive. And on the side also he kept on cheering for me even though I was losing,” Mertens said with a smile.
“I was a set and a break down. She (Halep) played well at that time. I really had to step up in the court and play better tennis than before. She was really hitting the ball pretty clear and clean.
“I just kept on fighting. I think holding serve was a big process, especially (after) the first set didn’t really go well, but I think the positivity kept me going,” Mertens said.
Mertens said she misfired with her baseline shots to lose the first set against Halep.
“I wouldn’t say I was really nervous, but I think my shots went long. I really had to accelerate a little bit better to keep it in the court,” Mertens explained.
“I think she started pretty good, pretty clean on those shots. She pushed me back a little bit. I had to step up in the court a little bit more from the beginning, which I didn’t do,” she said.
Mertens said winning the title in Doha felt good.
“Of course it’s a big moment for me, getting that victory. Playing in a Grand Slam and getting the semis is also really a great achievement, but I wanted a step further to getting this trophy,” the world No.21 said.
“Especially playing against those top 10 players, which I did back-to-back this week. I think this one would be the nicest one, nicest victory,” Mertens said.
“I had a pretty good run last year throughout the year. I’m really working hard. You have to keep working and both feet on the ground every week,” Mertens said.
When reminded that the tournament promo photos had her photo with word “Victory” written across, Mertens smiled and said: “I saw that the first day I arrived. I was like, Oh, I really have to win this first round.”
The Belgian didn’t just win the first round but went all the way to lift the golden Falcon Trophy on Saturday.
