WATCH: Comeback queen Naomi Osaka hits ‘thunderous’ jackknife backhand against Elise Mertens at 2024 Indian Wells
The Japanese star continues to work towards improving her ranking as she returns to the Tour after a year long absence.
Naomi Osaka in action at Indian Wells (Images via IMAGO, X)
In a battle of Grand Slam title winners on the court, former Indian Wells champs Naomi Osaka and Elise Mertens clashed in the third round of the ongoing 2024 Indian Wells Open. Mertens has won the coveted title twice, in doubles, and the experience paid off against the 2018 singles title winner.
Coming into the tie, both the players had won their previous matches in straight sets showing some exceptional performances. Naomi Osaka was looking to make a deep run to break into the Top 200 again. Elise Mertens is seeking her maiden Tour title this year after her runner-up finish in Hobart earlier this season.
The Belgian drew the first blood winning an extended first set 7-5. Taking the lead proved crucial as the pressure started mounting on the former singles World No. 1. With her service game also under par from her usual, the two-time US Open winner needed to find something to come back into the tie.
One such highlight shot came in the second set of the match. With the set tied at 3-3, 40-40, the Japanese hit her serve in the middle of the court to commence a short rally. Mertens hit a deep backhand across the court for which Osaka was fully prepared.
As the ball bounced a bit higher, the current World No. 287 fired a big ‘jackknife backhand’ that was inch perfect in landing. Despite Mertens not quite far away, she could only watch the ball go past her as Osaka won the point.
Elise Mertens’ partner gets emotional as she beats Naomi Osaka
Despite a few highlight-reel-worthy shots by Osaka, she couldn’t stage a comeback. Mertens made quite a few mistakes herself but still managed to fend off the four-time singles Grand Slam title winner. As a result, the 24th seed now moves into the fourth round after winning the match 7-5, 6-4.
As she clinched the match point following Osaka’s forehand that landed outside the baseline, it was an emotional moment in her box. Robbe Ceyssens, Mertens’ partner and former coach, was overwhelmed with the win. He was captured shedding a few tears following the win.
Mertens has made it to the fourth round for the first time in her career at Indian Wells. With an eye on the quarter-final spot, she will now take on in-form American and third-seeded Coco Gauff.
The teen currently leads their head-to-head 3-0 and it would take a special effort from the Belgian to make the last-8. As for Osaka, she is expected to move up to World No. 219 following her third-round run in the tennis paradise.
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Sarthak Shitole
(3462 Articles Published)