Elise Mertens made a flawless start to her Hobart International title defence today, storming past Japanese qualifier Kurumi Nara in the opening round.
The No.2-seeded Belgian won 6-0 6-4 in 72 minutes.
.@elise_mertens finishes strong.
The Belgian defeats Nara 6-0, 6-4 @HobartTennis pic.twitter.com/JH3mUeCv0L
— WTA (@WTA) January 8, 2018
“I think I played a pretty good match and I hope I can continue it,” Mertens said.
Mertens relished a return to Centre Court at the Domain Tennis Centre, where she won her first WTA title last year.
“I have great memories here, so I am really happy to be back,” she said.
SEE: Mertens visits local chocolate factory
Her second round opponent is Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia, who advanced with victory over Australian wildcard Lizette Cabrera yesterday.
Mertens is in high spirits after starting her season at the Mastercard Hopman Cup in Perth last week – an opportunity she said she loved.
“It was really nice and it’s always an honour to play for your country,” she said.
Teaming up alongside David Goffin, the duo almost qualified for the final. Mertens admitted she had been in awe watching Switzerland’s Roger Federer throughout the week and had been hoping to play against the 19-time Grand Slam champion in a mixed doubles rubber.
“When you see him play it makes you realise ‘oh I can just still learn a lot’,” she said.
“I’m a little upset I didn’t get to play him but I gave everything and it wasn’t meant to be, maybe next year. “