Elise Mertens wins Lugano singles and doubles titles

Shahida Jacobs

Elise Mertens first beat Aryna Sabalenka to win the Samsung Open singles title and then partnered with Kirsten Flipkens to win the doubles.

The second seed from Belgium won her second WTA Tour title of the year and third overall as she beat Sabalenka 7-5, 6-2 in under 90 minutes.

The 22-year-old was in charge early on as she broke the Belarusian in the third game, but Sabalenka hit back in game six only to lose her serve again in game 11.

Mertens kept the pressure on in the second set as she broke in the first game and again in game seven to ease to victory.

“So many games were 40-40 and it could have gone either way,” Mertens said. “But I’m really happy that I pulled through yesterday and the day before, because these weren’t easy. It was a great match today and I hope everyone here today liked it!”

Both players were back on court not long after to compete in the doubles, and again it was Mertens who came out on top as she partnered with Flipkens to claim a 6-1, 6-3 win over Sabalenka and Vera Lapko.

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