LO 2022: Van Uytvanck surprises compatriot Mertens; Kudermetova also through

Alison van Uytvanck has booked a convincing victory over her compatriot Elise Mertens in the opening match of the day on centre court. The Belgian duel was decided by the number 46 of the world with 6-2 6-3.

Mertens was seeded eighth at the Libéma Open, but was no match for the player who already won an ITF-tournament on grass in Surbiton last week. Van Uytvanck might meet Aryna Sabalenka in the quarterfinals.

For Mertens, the tournament is not over yet. In the doubles, she is the number one of the world and thus tournament favourite this week, at the side of Veronika Kudermetova.

Kudermetova, seeded sixth, reached the last eight when Anna Blinkova had to retire in the second set. Kudermetova was leading 5-2 at that point, but had to leave the opening set 7-5 to her opponent.

For a place in the semifinals, second seed Belinda Bencic or Anna Kalinskaya will be her opponent.