ROLAND GARROS

May 27, 2022

Elise Mertens

Press Conference

E. MERTENS/V. Gracheva

6-2, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Elise, congratulations. So you're in the fourth round of Roland Garros for the second time in your career. How happy are you to be at this stage now?

ELISE MERTENS: Well I'm very happy, of course. Happy to win it in two sets. I mean, it was not like an easy match, I mean the score was two or three, but still felt like it was actually a tight match.

But overall I think I didn't make any unforced errors, I made her play a little bit. I felt like she is someone who likes to rhythm everything, so I tried to mix it up a little bit.

Q. You must be ambitious in a round of 16 against Gauff, so how far do you imagine that you can go in this tournament?

ELISE MERTENS: It's difficult to say, because she also played very well, she played a good match she played against Alison. But I have a good feeling about it, I've played two matches after the second round, thankfully I still have a lot of energy, but I feel good, I think that my level is quite good, I'm playing in the fourth round, so it's a really positive.

So three weeks ago maybe it was just, it was a dream to play here due to my injury, but I'm moving well, I'm not in pain and I'm 100 percent.

Q. I think that 10 days ago you were playing in Strasbourg in a doubles match with Diane and that you trained together. The trainer said that for Diane it was very profitable and that it helped her a lot the week that she spent with you and can you talk about the young girl who you got to know recently?

ELISE MERTENS: I don't know if it's because of me, but yes, we played well together in the doubles, it was great and she said thank you to me afterwards.

But we played the semifinals together, she's playing a third round here. So we trained together beforehand so, yes, she plays really well, I think she's very confident and that helps a lot.

So maybe I was giving her a few tips, but it's due to her, herself, she plays, she's 100 percent, she gives it her all and she's playing well.

Q. Are you surprised to see her succeeding like this in Paris?

ELISE MERTENS: Yes, I know that she's playing very well, she has a great forehand, she's aggressive.

So for a third round I think it's maybe the first time or first time that she's been in the third round. So I think the age and experience of playing in Chatrier is an amazing thing for her.