Aryna Sabalenka gives her honest opinion on Elise Mertens as a player and person after knocking her out of Wimbledon

Aryna Sabalenka has secured her spot in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon after winning her round of 16 tie with Elise Mertens.

Sam Querrey thinks Sabalenka is the favourite for Wimbledon this year, where the Belarusian is the top seed.

Sabalenka edged past Mertens 6-4, 7-6(7-4) after knocking out Emma Raducanu, with Laura Siegemund now up next for the WTA number one at Wimbledon.

The Belarusian now boasts an 11-2 win-loss record over Mertens, having won two Grand Slam doubles titles alongside the Belgian once upon a time.

The pair triumphed at the 2019 US Open and 2021 Australian Open before Sabalenka enjoyed her stunning singles success.

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What Aryna Sabalenka thinks of Elise Mertens after winning their Wimbledon match

Sabalenka said Raducanu played ‘incredibly good’ in their third round match, with the former now sharing her thoughts on Mertens after she became her latest victim.

The winner said on court: “First of all guys, it feels so good to feel all of the support. I feel like today I had you on my side!

READ MORE: ‘Frustrated’ Emma Raducanu explains what went wrong with her rackets during defeat to Aryna Sabalenka at Wimbledon

“Thank you guys, for the support. I am super happy with the performance, it was a battle how she always brings great tennis on court and I am super happy I was able to get this win.”

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And discussing Mertens in particular, Sabalenka commented: “It’s tough to play against someone you know quite close. She is a great player and great person. It’s tricky facing her and especially I know how smart she is.

“I know she is going to fight until the very end and she will be trying to find something. She really challenged me today, so it’s tricky and tough and I am super happy with the win.”

Aryna Sabalenka rates her chances of finally winning Wimbledon this year

Sabalenka has enjoyed stunning Grand Slam success, but largely on the hard courts of the Australian Open and US Open.

She has won two titles in New York and one in Melbourne, as well as losing finals on one occasion at each tournament.

READ MORE: Aryna Sabalenka makes big prediction about Emma Raducanu immediately after knocking her out of Wimbledon

Result Year Tournament Partner Opponents Score Win 2019 US Open Elise Mertens Victoria Azarenka,

Ashleigh Barty 7–5, 7–5 Win 2021 Australian Open Elise Mertens Barbora Krejcikova,

Katerina Siniakova 6–2, 6–3 Aryna Sabalenka Grand Slam doubles finals

The Belarusian superstar also reached the final of the French Open this season, but lost on clay to Coco Gauff.

Two semi-final finishes represent her best run at Wimbledon, with Sabalenka also addressing that issue post-match.

Asked if she feels the belief is building that it could now be her year, she replied: “I mean, with your support I think everything is possible. But I don’t know, I mean, it’s such a beautiful tournament and I have always dreamed of winning it.

“Every time I am on this court I am just trying to bring my best tennis and fight for every point. I am just trying to give my best and really hope for the best.”

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