Number 24 seed Elise Mertens beat 2018 champion Angelique Kerber 6-4 7-5 on Number 1 Court at Wimbledon.
Mertens had beaten Kerber in their only previous head-to-head match at the WTA 1000 tournement in Doha 2019 en route to her biggest title.
Mertens, who saved two match points in the previous round match against Panna Urvady earlier this week, converted five of her seven break points and hit 18 winners to 14 unforced errors. Kerber hit 18 winners to 28 unforced errors.
Mertens will play her second Round of 16 match at Wimbledon against Ons Jabeur. The Belgian player beat Jabeur in their only previous head-to-head match against her Tunisian rival.
Mertens broke serve in the fourth game and served for the first set at 5-3, but Kerber broke back. Mertens earned her second break at love in the 10th game to close out the first set 6-4.
Kerber broke Mertens in the eighth game to take a 5-3 lead in the second set, but Mertens broke back, when Kerber served to level the match.
Mertens closed out the match, as Kerber made her 28th unforced error with a return into the net.
Mertens has reached at least the third round of the last 18 she has contested. The Belgian player won the Wimbledon doubles title last year. “I am aware of the streak. It’s a very good one. I want to do even better. It’s a bit unusual, the third round for 18 times. That also gives you confidence coming into a Grand Slam. Grass is a particular surface. I try to adjust as good as I can”, said Mertens.
