Jessica Pegula began her stay in Paris feeling queasy after contracting food poisoning.
The American ended it, in singles at least, feeling sick to the core after she was consigned to defeat by Elise Mertens, the Belgian world No 28, for the third time in three meetings.
In the biggest upset so far in the women’s draw at Roland Garros, Mertens, roared on by a vocal Belgian contingent on Court Philippe Chatrier, claimed a 6-1, 6-3 win over the third seed to advance to the second week in Paris for the third time in her career.
It was a performance full of poise and assurance from Mertens, who claimed she was confident beforehand and made good on that declaration, tailoring her game to the blustery conditions to discomfit Pegula with her power and variety.
For Pegula, however, it was a day to forget. For a set, the 29-year-old looked a shadow of the player who has reached the last eight at four of the past five majors, struggling to find ways to hurt Mertens as she committed an uncharacteristic 28 unforced errors. Normally so composed and serene under pressure, Pegula wore a look of resignation for much of the contest, rallying briefly midway through the second set only to be thwarted by an opponent who seemed to read her intentions at every turn.
“I feel like I was still playing good points,” said Pegula, for whom salvation may yet come in the women’s doubles, in which she and Coco Gauff, finalists last year, are seeded second.
“Elise was just being really tough, not making a lot of errors and making me play every single ball. And with the windy conditions, I felt like it definitely played into her game.
“She returned well and I thought that she used the wind on both sides to her advantage. She was playing aggressive on the side with the wind and then, against the wind, I think she was playing some really good defence.”
Mertens ripped through the first set in less than half an hour before holding her nerve and her serve at 4-3 in the second as Pegula battled to find a way back. That game, a 15-minute tour de force from the Belgian full of draining all-court rallies, proved key. Three times Pegula held break points, three times Mertens denied her, most impressively when she lashed a forehand winner to cap a superb cat-and-mouse exchange.
“I played an incredible first set,” said Mertens, who will face Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, the finalist of two years ago, for a place in the last eight.
“Of course, I knew that she was going to come back. She’s a great competitor, a great player and fighter. So I think the game from 4-3 to 5-3 was crucial to get that one and to get the win. The confidence was there today.”
Elsewhere, Aryna Sabalenka, the Belarusian second seed, declined to hold an open press conference following her 6-2, 6-2 win against Kamilla Rakhimova of Russia. Sabalenka said she “did not feel safe” after being pressed by a Ukrainian journalist to state her position on her country’s role in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine after her victory over fellow countrywoman Iryna Shymanovich in the previous round.
“After my match I spoke with the media like I normally do,” Sabalenka told an unnamed group of reporters selected by tournament officials. “I know they still expect some questions that are more about the politics and not so much about my tennis.
“For many months now, I have answered these questions at tournaments and been very clear in my feelings and my thoughts. These questions do not bother me after my matches. I know that I have to provide answers to the media on things not related to my tennis or my matches, but on Wednesday I did not feel safe in press conference.
“I should be able to feel safe when I do interviews with the journalists after my matches. For my own mental health and well-being, I have decided to take myself out of this situation today, and the tournament has supported me in this decision. It hasn’t been an easy few days, and now my focus is continue to play well here in Paris.”
Sabalenka’s refusal to take questions from independent journalists bore echoes of Naomi Osaka’s decision to skip press duties at Roland Garros on mental health grounds in 2021. On that occasion, Osaka was fined and subsequently withdrew from the tournament.