Third seed Mertens reaches WTA Prague Open quarters

PRAGUE - Third seed Elise Mertens of Belgium pushed aside Italian Camila Giorgi 6-4, 6-2 to make the quarterfinals at the WTA Prague Open here on Wednesday.

Mertens struggled at the beginning of the match but fought her way back to win the first set. In the second set, Giorgi broke Mertens in the second game. The duo seesawed the seventh game before the Belgian broke Giorgi after eight deuces.

Mertens hit four fewer winners than Giorgi but a steady first serve with 85% points won and less unforced errors gave her the win.

The 24-year-old Mertens will face either Tamara Zidansek or wildcard Eugenie Bouchard in the quarterfinals.