Sorry Gavrilova eyes French Open revenge

Daria Gavrilova is intent on parlaying her good fortune at Roland Garros with a breakout run to the second week of the French Open for the first time.

Daria Gavrilova of Australia plays Bernarda Pera of the USA in France.

Australia's Daria Gavrilova is eyeing French Open payback against Belgian Elise Mertens. (AAP)

Daria Gavrilova has apologised for her latest tennis tantrum as she chases French Open redemption against rising Belgian Elise Mertens on Saturday night.

Gavrilova has been fined $US2000 ($A2,642) for destroying her racquet during her dramatic 5-7 7-5 6-3 second-round comeback win over American Bernarda Pera.

The combustible Australian also received a code violation for a similar offence in the first round and admits her behaviour's not cool.

"It never does anything good and it's not a good look, so I'm not proud of it at all," said Gavrilova, dismissing the notion that releasing frustration in such a manner sometimes helped players.

"I don't think that's the case and it should never be said like that, and kids should never see me do that.

"But I let the emotions take the best out of me."

Gavrilova, who saved a match point in what she dubbed "an ugly win" over Pera, has unfinished business to attend to in Paris.

Mertens removed her from the French Open draw last year in a tense three-setter before also eliminating the home hope at Melbourne Park in January.

"I would love to get a revenge and I'm going to do everything to prepare and I think, all in all, it's a pretty good draw for both of us," said Gavrilova, the 24th seed.

"It's a good chance for me to get into the second week of a slam."

Gavrilova squandered a 5-0 lead and eight set points against Mertens in the first set in Melbourne before the Belgian rode her good fortune all the way to the semi-finals.

The 24-year-old insists she's carrying no scars from the deflating defeat.

"I think my game is suitable to beat her. I started really well against her in Australia.

"She's really progressed and she's a really tough competitor but I think if dictate with my forehand, I have all the chances."

Victory over Mertens - a tournament dark horse boasting three titles in 2018 and who enjoyed a 13-match clay-court winning streak this season - would earn Gavrilova a possible shot at world No.1 Simona Halep in the fourth round.


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Source: AAP



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