Elise Mertens is into her first tour-level semifinal of the season after a clean run at WTA Monterrey 2026. The 30-year-old Belgian dispatched Anna Udvardy and Daria Starodubtseva in straight sets to reach the final four at the Abierto GNP Seguros.

Standing in her way is Nikola Bartunkova, who has taken a grittier path to get there.

Elise Mertens, Nikola Bartunkova Battle Through WTA Monterrey Draw

The 20-year-old Czech, currently ranked No. 38, ground through consecutive three-setters against En Shuo Liang and qualifier Darja Vidmanova. Her composure in tight spots isn't new, though.

Bartunkova reached the Guadalajara semifinals in 2025 and made the Birmingham final earlier this summer, steadily climbing the WTA rankings.

The two have split their previous meetings 1-1, each on a different surface. Bartunkova took the grass-court match in Berlin, while Mertens won on hard court at the Australian Open.

For the Belgian, the timing matters. Mertens is chasing a second straight season with 30-plus match wins, and a deep run in Monterrey builds momentum heading into the US Open. Her Wimbledon quarterfinal earlier this year already marked a career best on grass.

Meanwhile, the other semifinal features Diane Parry against No. 5 seed Ann Li, with Parry eyeing a first Top 50 ranking. Both winners advance to Saturday's final in Monterrey.

Amanda Anisimova battled weather delays and a slow start to reach the fourth round of the 2026 Canadian Open on Thursday. The No. 8 seed dropped the opening set to Nikola Bartunkova before turning the match around for a 3-6, 6-0, 6-4 win in Toronto.

Bartunkova jumped ahead 4-1 early. Then Anisimova found her range. She took the second set in just 30 minutes. Still, the Czech pushed back and moved up 4-2 in the decider. From there, Anisimova won the key games, including a hold from 15-40 down in the eighth.

"She's very crafty, and she's had a great year," Anisimova said of her opponent. "I feel like I managed her game style very well and stuck with it, especially in moments where I was down."

Amanda Anisimova Rebuilds After Injury at the 2026 Canadian Open

The result marked her first win since last month's Wimbledon tournament, where a wrist injury had stalled her run.

"I'm just trying to find my game, and, yeah, find myself on the court," she said. "I felt like I was myself again on the court. I was kind of missing that for the last few months."

Next up, Anisimova returns to the site where she reached the final in 2024 hoping to build on the momentum in the Round of 16.

The next generation of tennis stars are on the rise, with youth-powered upsets rattling this week's third round of the 2026 Australian Open.

No. 8 Jasmine Paolini became the season's first fallen Top 10 contender, as the Italian standout fell 6-2, 7-6(3) to US 18-year-old and world No. 27 Iva Jović early Friday morning.

No. 14 Clara Tauson and No. 10 Belinda Bencic also bowed out of the Melbourne Grand Slam thanks to a pair of 19-year-olds, with Canada's No. 16 Victoria Mboko and Czechia's No. 126 Nikola Bartunkova ousting the Danish and Swiss stars, respectively, on Thursday to advance to this weekend's fourth round.

Even more, Mboko and Bartunkova were two of five teenagers featuring in the Grand Slam's third round, as the WTA establishment clashed with its future.

Meanwhile, 21-year-old star Coco Gauff survived a three-set scare against fellow US talent No. 70 Hailey Baptiste, with the world No. 3 eventually reaching her fourth straight Australian Open Round of 16 behind Thursday's 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 come-from-behind win.

"On the serve, I was just trying to be aggressive with my placement and not be too passive," Gauff said postmatch. "Honestly, I'm out there trying to figure out that balance along with everybody else."

How to watch the 2026 Australian Open

The third round of the 2026 Australian Open wraps on Friday night, with WTA stars like No. 2 Iga Świątek, No. 4 Amanda Anisimova, and No. 17 Naomi Osaka all aiming to advance.

Friday's action kicks off with defending champion No. 9 Madison Keys taking on Czechia's Karolína Plíšková while fellow US standout No. 6 Jessica Pegula faces No. 101 Oksana Selekhmeteva at 6:30 PM ET.

All matches from the Melbourne Slam air live across ESPN platforms.