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2023 French Open
Tennis tournament
Third Round
Grand Slam
Roland Garros Stadium
Paris, France
Friday, 2 June 2023
Elise Mertens is set to go face off with world number three Jessica Pegula in the
2023 French Open third-round match on June 2.
Previous round
Mertens progressed to the third round after defeating Colombian star Camila Osorio 6-3, 7-6 (3) in the second-round clash on May 31.
Meanwhile, Pegula cruised into this round on May 31 after her Italian opponent Camila Giorgi of Italy retired injured with the former leading 6-2.
French Open record
Mertens is making her first appearance in the French Open third round having previously been eliminated in the fourth round twice.
The Belgian star, who is a former world number one in the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) doubles rankings, currently finds herself placed 28th on the singles rankings.
Her opponent, Pegula reached the 2022 French Open quarter-finals and it remains her best performance in the tournament.
The American star is among the best in the world as she is currently placed third in the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) and among the favourites for the 2023 French Open title.
What was said
"We haven't played in a little while," Pegula said about facing Mertens after defeating Girgi in the French Open second-round clash.
"We played doubles quite a few times but not singles. She's really tricky I think. A really smart player. Kind of a counter-puncher, but is very strategic as well
"So I think it will be difficult. I don't know if we've ever played on clay before, but it will definitely be a match where I'm not going to be able to make a lot of errors, can't really go for too much. I'm going to have to play smart, serve smart," he added.
"She also competes very well. "I know that going in, it's going to be a tough match and a tricky match-up for me."
Head-to-Head record
Mertens and Pegula will meet for the third time in a professional tournament.
Pegula was eliminated from the 2020 Western & Southern Open and 2021 Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Championships by Mertens.
The winner between Mertens and Pegula will face off with Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Anastasia Potapova in the French Open fourth round.
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