Kerber holds off Flipkens to advance to third round at Wimbledon
LONDON, Great Britain - World No.1 Angelique Kerber held off a late charge from former semifinalist Kirsten Flipkens in the second round at Wimbledon to advance to the round of 32 on Thursday, 7-5, 7-5.
"I think it was not an easy match, I mean, especially against Kirsten is always tough to play because she plays good on grass with the slice," Kerber said, post-match. "I couldn't find my rhythm in the first few games, but then I was trying to moving good and playing the ball back.
"It was for sure maybe not the best tennis that I played, but I was trying to fighting again for every point, and I think that was the key at the end."
Playing for the second time in their careers at Wimbledon - Kerber came from a set down to win in the third round in 2014 - the World No.1 served at 78 percent and struck a clean 20 winners in the one hour, 45-minute encounter.
Though Flipkens tallied 37 winners - in part thanks to a staggering 58 trips to the net where she won 60 percent of the points (35/58) - her 31 unforced errors were some too many as the German broke her a total of five times.
The first set concluded with five breaks in seven games, as the Belgian twice went up a break of serve - but could not serve out the opener on her only attempt at 5-3.
A love hold stamped the World No.1's authority as she got back even at 5-5, and her run extended to four games as she pocketed the opener with a hold after breaking the 2013 Wimbledon semifinalist in the 11th game.
"The weather is much better than the last years, actually...I'm feeling fine with the grass."
Angelique Kerber on her feelings on court.
The second set saw Kerber find her footing early, as she went up a break in the fifth game, but an inspired Flipkens played her best game of the match - as she rallied the crowd's support - to break the German as she served for the match and level the set at 5-5.
However, the World No.88 comeback effort was short-lived, as she was broken at 30 in her ensuing service game, and though she held a break point to force a tiebreak, saw Kerber serve out the match.
Next up for Kerber is American Shelby Rogers, who rallied from a set down to defeat No.32 seed Lucie Safarova on Court 9. The duo played earlier this year at the Miami Open, with Kerber winning, 6-4, 7-5.
Source: http://www.wtatennis.com/news/kerber-holds-flipkens-advance-third-round-wimbledon
"I think it was not an easy match, I mean, especially against Kirsten is always tough to play because she plays good on grass with the slice," Kerber said, post-match. "I couldn't find my rhythm in the first few games, but then I was trying to moving good and playing the ball back.
 |
World No.1 Angelique Kerber moved back into the third round with a tight two-set win over Kirsten Flipkens.
|
Playing for the second time in their careers at Wimbledon - Kerber came from a set down to win in the third round in 2014 - the World No.1 served at 78 percent and struck a clean 20 winners in the one hour, 45-minute encounter.
Though Flipkens tallied 37 winners - in part thanks to a staggering 58 trips to the net where she won 60 percent of the points (35/58) - her 31 unforced errors were some too many as the German broke her a total of five times.
The first set concluded with five breaks in seven games, as the Belgian twice went up a break of serve - but could not serve out the opener on her only attempt at 5-3.
A love hold stamped the World No.1's authority as she got back even at 5-5, and her run extended to four games as she pocketed the opener with a hold after breaking the 2013 Wimbledon semifinalist in the 11th game.
"The weather is much better than the last years, actually...I'm feeling fine with the grass."
Angelique Kerber on her feelings on court.
The second set saw Kerber find her footing early, as she went up a break in the fifth game, but an inspired Flipkens played her best game of the match - as she rallied the crowd's support - to break the German as she served for the match and level the set at 5-5.
However, the World No.88 comeback effort was short-lived, as she was broken at 30 in her ensuing service game, and though she held a break point to force a tiebreak, saw Kerber serve out the match.
Next up for Kerber is American Shelby Rogers, who rallied from a set down to defeat No.32 seed Lucie Safarova on Court 9. The duo played earlier this year at the Miami Open, with Kerber winning, 6-4, 7-5.
Source: http://www.wtatennis.com/news/kerber-holds-flipkens-advance-third-round-wimbledon
Post a Comment