By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Roberta Vinci served for the first set, but Angelique Kerber reeled off nine consecutive games rolling into the US Open semifinals with a 7-5, 6-0 triumph.
Photo credit: Zimbio
NEW YORK—Two points from a one-set deficit, Angelique Kerber bent her blue visor down snugly on her forehead and fixed her gaze firmly on the ball.
Blocking out a scratchy start, Kerber carved out nine straight games dismissing a dispirited Roberta Vinci, 7-5, 6-0, to roll into her first US Open semifinal in five years.
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"I think the key of the match was the first set," Kerber said. "I mean, it was really close and tough.It's always difficult to play against Roberta.She's a tough opponent with her slice. Yeah, I was trying to staying in the match and not thinking that I'm the break down. Just going for it, yeah.
"Keeping my mind a little bit relaxed, and, yeah, staying in the moment. I think that was my key also like for the first set to being a little bit more relax and had not too negative, actually."
Continuing her quest to surpass Serena Williams for the world No. 1 ranking, Kerber reached her third Grand Slam semifinal of the season. If Kerber reaches the final, the top-seeded Williams must win the title to retain her top spot in the rankings.
The No. 1 ranking was within reach in Cincinnati last month, but Kerber sputtered losing to Karolina Pliskova. Now, she says she's ready to take another shot at the top.
"This would mean a lot to me. I mean, when I was a kid I was always dreaming to being the No. 1," Kerber said. "Let's see. I mean, there are still matches to go. Also, Serena has to play as well very good. I mean, let's see. I mean, I'm looking forward to play, first of all, my next match. If the day will come, it will be amazing."
This was a tale of two completely different sets.
The second-ranked German struggled to tame Vinci's slice backhand at the outset, committing 23 of her 25 unforced errors in the opening set.
Kerber cleaned up her act considerably and played near immaculate in the second set, while Vinci completely imploded after a foot-fault call against her on set point.
The Australian Open champion won 28 of 38 points played in the second set as the seventh-seeded Italian surrendered meekly.
Black kinesiology tape snaked up the back of Vinci's left calf, but she was quick off the mark in the early stages creating plenty of spin problems for Kerber.
The Italian deployed the slithering low slice backhand with little pace forcing the counter-punching Kerber, who thrives off pace, to generate her own power.
In the fifth game, Kerber saved a break point with a shrewd drop shot-lob combination. Unfazed, Vinci blocked a backhand volley crosscourt for another break point. Closing net again, Vinci nudged a drop shot with sidespin to break again for 3-2.
Kerber countered Vinci's slice with her own slice backhand then targeted the Italian's forehand drawing a scattered error down the line to break back for 3-all.
Vinci broke in the ninth game and served for the set at 5-4, but could not close as Kerber broke right back. By then, the pair had collaborated for six service breaks in 10 games.
Minutes after serving for the set, Vinci found herself down triple-set point as Kerber scooped a forehand pass up the line.
On a second serve, Vinci was hit with a foot-fault call to end the set. She responded with a sarcastic thumbs up to the linesperson.
Replay showed Vinci did step over the line. The 2015 runner-up never recovered from that mis-step.
Kerber opened the set with her fourth consecutive game and proceeded to stomp out Vinci.
It was disappointing to see the former world No. 1 doubles player, who was two points from a one-set lead, essentially capitulate the second set. Kerber's confidence and unerring baseline assault was too much for Vinci.
"She's on fire," Vinci said. "She won a lot of matches. She's in confidence. When the moment is tough and both are so close, she's focused. She's in good shape. She's No. 2. So probably this is the difference between us."
A disconsolate Vinci served just 25 percent and won only five of 20 points played on her serve waving the white flag.
An empowered Kerber needed only 23 minutes to dispense the second-set bagel.
"I'm not thinking about quarters, semis, or whatever. I'm just going there to playing a good match and to win the match," Kerber said. "I know that I can beat everybody, and this is what gives me also a lot of confidence and motivation for going out there and playing with a lot of emotion."
The 28-year-old German raised her record to 8-3 vs. Top 10 opponents this season and is peaking at the right time. Kerber has permitted just 23 games through five Flushing Meadows matches.
The second seed will face either two-time former finalist Caroline Wozniacki or 48th-ranked Latvian Anastasija Sevastova for a spot in the final. Kerber has won seven of 12 meetings with good friend Wozniacki; the left-hander has yet to face Sevastova.
"Caroline, I mean, I know she's moving very well and she brings a lot of balls back, so I have to be really patient, like today, and waiting for the shots and being aggressive," Kerber said. "That will be for sure the challenge with her.
"And against Sevastova, I think I never played against her yet, so... I mean, she has nothing to lose. She plays now also one of her best tennis. She reach the quarters here, so she will give everything."