Mertens stopped in opening round

Elise Mertens did not succeed to get through the first round. Ekaterina Alexandrova was to strong for the Belgian: 6-4 6-2.

Mertens, third seed on the Brabant grass, started off well. However, her 3-1 advantage soon disappeared  when Alexandrova won three games in a row.

The Russian increased the pressure in the second set and Mertens did not have an answer. The number 52 of the world won the set and the match with 6-2.

Alexandrova will meet another Belgian in the next round. Qualifier Ysaline Bonaventure defeated lucky loser Fiona Ferro with 6-2 2-6 6-0.

Alison Riske and Polona Hercog also reached the second round. Riske defeated Karolina Muchova and Hercog was too strong for Christina McHale with 6-4 6-4.