Mertens grabs scale at Libéma Open 2025

Ten years after her debut in the qualifiers in Rosmalen, Elise Mertens has captured the title at Libéma Open. Shrouded in orange, the number one seed from our southern neighbours defeated Elena-Gabriela Ruse on the packed centre court: 6-3 7-6(4).

The start of the match was for the Romanian qualifier, who took a 3-1 lead with her signature solid blows and even had an opportunity for a 4-1 lead. At that point, however, the match tilted to the Belgian side. Mertens, in the hunt for her tenth WTA title, grabbed five games in a row to secure the first set 6-3.

In the second, the 29-year-old player from Leuven initially kept the initiative and took a break lead. Now it was the turn of the two-year younger Ruse to mount a comeback and earn set points. Mertens had already cleared 11 match points in the semifinals and proved that she could stay on her feet under pressure in the title match as well, taking the set to a tiebreak.

In it, Mertens created a wide lead, enough to defuse a final offensive by Ruse and decide the match in straight sets. The win marks the first grass title for the former world number 12, who now joins greats Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters as Belgian champions at Libéma Open.