Mertens joins Parry in Monterrey final after rallying past Bartunkova

Aug 29 : Belgian second seed Elise Mertens recovered from a set down to beat Czech Nikola Bartunkova 1-6 6-4 6-2 at the Monterrey Open on Friday, setting up a final showdown with Diane Parry in the WTA 500 hardcourt tune-up event ahead of the U.S. Open.Frenchwoman Parry, 23, earlier upset American fifth seed Ann Li 7-6(7) 6-4 in two hours and three minutes in the first semi-final to book her place in the final.In the second semi-final, Bartunkova made a blistering start, breaking Mertens in the opening game before racing to a 4-1 lead. The 20-year-old secured a second break and never allowed Mertens a route back, closing out the set 6-1 after breaking serve for a third time in the final game.After being outplayed in the opening set, Mertens battled back in the second from a 3-0 deficit. Th