Mertens, unleashed after her victory over Rybakina: "I had fire inside me"

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Elise Mertens pulled off one of the major upsets of Wimbledon 2026 by defeating Elena Rybakina 7-6 and 6-1, a victory that the Belgian herself considers one of the most important in her entire career. The Kazakh number one came in as one of the top contenders for the title and with a chance to claim the WTA ranking's top spot, but she encountered a solid, determined Mertens who elevated her game in crucial moments.

"It's one of the most memorable victories of my career, especially to have achieved it here, at Wimbledon and against an opponent like her," acknowledged the Belgian after securing a spot in the round of 16.

Mertens pointed to the first set as the turning point of the match. After winning a tight tiebreak, she felt the match completely shifting. "Against a player like Elena, winning the first set gives you a lot of momentum. I kept telling myself that now she had to win two sets to come back, and I kept believing in my chances. That was the key," she explained.

Elise Mertens describes this victory as one of the most important in her career

The Belgian also highlighted the level of concentration she brought to the match. "Today, I had fire within me. I really wanted to win," she confessed, emphasizing that she managed to stay composed to not give any openings at the start of the second set, where she ultimately broke away.

Regarding the differences from her loss to Rybakina at the Australian Open, Mertens believes that this time she found many more answers. "I was more consistent and better prepared to withstand the power of her shots. I moved very well and managed to neutralize her attacks better. I think I made the match much tougher for her today," she analyzed.

At 30 years old, the Belgian once again proves that she remains a formidable competitor in major events. Her performance against Rybakina provides a new boost for a player who continues to find ways to reinvent herself and compete with the best on the circuit.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Mertens, desatada tras su victoria ante Rybakina: "Tenía fuego dentro de mí"