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 $US2000 ($A2642) 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.
-AAP