Elise Mertens now coached by Germany's Dieter Kindlmann

Tennis

Belgian No.1 Elise Mertens (WTA 15) knows the third coach of her season.

Trained in early 2018 by Robbe Ceyssens and then Rick Vleeshouwers to Wimbledon, Mertens opted for the German Dieter Kindlmann, former coach of Madison Keys until May 2018.

"We started to work together last week, "explained Mertens on the WTA website. "Since then, there has been a focus on things, and I can not wait to play my first tournament with him," said the 22-year-old Belgian, who is competing in San Jose this week (hard / $ 799,000), where she will face American Ashley Kratzer (WTA 251) in the second round

"Dieter has a lot of experience, I think he's a very good coach and we understand each other very well on and off the court." Kindlmann, 36, is also a former player whose best ATP ranking is a 130th place finish in 2004. Last year, he helped Keys reach the US Open final.

Already a winner three tournaments this season, in Hobart, Lugano and Rabat, Mertens wants to continue to climb the world hierarchy. "Everything has been very fast since my first title (already in Hobart, January 2017, Ed) but I think I can still do great things and improve myself, I think the time has come to change because I had need someone with experience, I'm 15th in the world but I want to do better and I think it's the right person to help me get there. "

Mertens begins in the capital of Silicon Valley's preparation for the US Open, 4th round of the 2018 Grand Slam. "You have to have a lot of face-to-face meetings in preparation for the US Open, it's good to start now."

The Belgian is currently 11th in the Race, ranking established since the beginning of the 2018 season. "I do not particularly like to set a ranking goal but I want to improve my level of play against the best. Simona Halep (N.1 World, Ed) and she was just too strong for me I want to progress on this point, "punctuated Mertens.

San Jose WTA: Elise Mertens will face the young American Kratzer in the second round

The Belgian N.1 Elise Mertens (WTA 15) will face the American Ashley Kratzer (WTA 251) in the second round of the San Jose Californian tournament for his return match after Wimbledon

The 19-year-old American, who received an invitation to this hard-fought $ 799,000 event, defeated her compatriot Alison Riske ( WTA 67) in three sets, 6-4, 4-6 and 7-5, clinching their first victory on the main circuit after a 2:09 battle. This will be the first duel between the 22 year old Belgian and Kratzer

Mertens begins in the capital of Silicon Valley his preparation for the US Open, 4th round of the Grand Slam 2018. The protégé of Rick Vleeschouwers, already winner of Hobart, Lugano and Rabat tournaments this season remain on a third round at Wimbledon, beaten by Slovakia's Dominika Cibulkova

Note that this meeting in San Jose is new to the players. Indeed, the Stanford tournament, played since 1971 and won last year by Madison Keys, moved to San Jose and changed main sponsor.