Tired Mertens not strong enough against Halep

Elise Mertens has been elimated in the second round of the big WTA tournament in Madrid by Simona Halep. The number one of the world ranking was too strong for the Belgian player: 6-0 6-3.

Mertens was not feeling fit when she started the match against the 26-year-old title defender of the Premier event in the Spanish capital. Belgium’s number one player has had an intensive period with victories in the Fed Cup and the tournaments in Lugano and Rabat. The 22-year-old from Leuven was unbeaten in a total of 13 matches in a row, but against Halep her energy level was slightly low.

Halep will play against Kristyna Pliskova in the quarter finals. The twin sister of world class player Karolina Pliskova reached the main event through the qualifications and defeated wild card player Sara Sorribes Tormo from Spain with 7-5 6-2.