By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, October 9, 2026
Photo credit: Singapore Open Tennis
Grand Slam champions continue to inspire Elise Mertens’ peak play.
World No. 19 Mertens surprised Iga Swiatek 7-6(0), 6-3 to advance to her third career WTA 1000 semifinal in Beijing.
It is Mertens’ third consecutive conquest of a Grand Slam champion. Mertens defeated former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in the round of 32 before beating two-time Grand Slam champion Coco Gauff for the first time in six career meetings in the round of 16.
“I think consistency [was key] honestly. I know she’s an incredible player and she can always come back into that match,” Mertens said. “I tried to keep that momentum going.
“Very tight first set. Great tiebreak from me. Then I kind of, okay, let’s try to focus on the serving games, let’s try to put the pressure on a little bit. Don’t get too defensive, but try to push yourself, which I did.
“At the end I was very happy that I could serve it out. Very nerve-wracking again. But of course it’s a great victory for me.”
The 30-year-old Mertens becomes the first Belgian woman to reach the China Open semifinals—and she did it on the strength of her third straight Top 10 triumph.
Mertens, who reached her first WTA 1000 semifinal since the 2021 Dubai, will face Chinese wild card Zheng Qinwen for a spot in the Beijing final.
Earlier, Olympic gold-medal champion Zheng defeated sixth-seeded Elina Svitolina 6-3, 7-6(6) to become the fifth Chinese woman to reach the China Open semifinals. Zheng joins Qiang Wang (2018), Li Na (2010, 2012), Zheng Jie (2008) and Peng Shuai (2006, 2007) in achieving the milestone mark.
“It was a really great win for me,” Zheng said. “I think Svitolina, she also play her best tennis. I’m just happy to have lot of winner during the match, and at the end be brave in important moment. I finish with really good winners.”
It’s been a revitalizing run for Zheng, who was ranked No. 121 in August when she qualified for the US Open then knocked off Madison Keys and Iga Swiatek in succession to reach the Flushing Meadows quarterfinals.
Celebrating her first match since her 24th birthday yesterday, Zheng zapped 36 winners, 15 more than Svitolina. Now, Zheng will play to become the first Chinese woman to advance to the Beijing final.
“I want to be a more aggressive player. That has always been my dream and ambition,” Zheng said. “I’m really happy I have become like this over time.
“In previous matches I might be relying on my consistency and errors from my opponents. Now I seize the opportunities when I see them.
“The last two points in the tiebreak I did very well because I took the initiative to win those points. I can actually control my winners, unforced errors. I will be making wiser choices in a match.”
Former world No. 4 Zheng beat Mertens 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in their lone prior meeting on Har-Tru at the 2025 Charleston.
“She’s an incredible player. She’s been a top-10 player,” Mertens said of Zheng. “Of course, unlucky with the injury. But her level is there. It’s going to be a great match.
“Of course, she has a home advantage. But still I’m enjoying my time here in Beijing. I’m still in singles and doubles. Going to give myself 100% again.”
Winless in two prior matches vs. Swiatek, Mertens played clever combinations winning eight of her last 10 service points to force the first set tie break.
Lifting her level, Mertens tore through 12 consecutive points turning a 5-6, 15-All deficit into a one-set, 1-0 lead.
In the second set, Mertens broke for a 3-1 lead then backed up the break at love. Mertens stamped successive love holds and won 12 of her final 14 service points beating Swiatek for the first time in three meetings.
0 comments