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By Erik Gudris | Tuesday, January 17, 2017

 
Angelique Kerber Australian Open Round Two

Defending Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber earned yet another three set win as she celebrated her birthday. 

Photo Credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve


Defending Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber posted yet another three set win to reach the third round as she celebrated her 29th birthday.

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Kerber, after finally seeing off fellow German Carina Witthoeft, enjoyed having “Happy Birthday” sung to her by the Rod Laver Arena crowd after the match.




Kerber looked poised to celebrate her birthday much earlier when she took control of the match by enjoying a set and then a break lead. But things got more complicated as Kerber was forced to battle into her fifth straight three set match this season.

Fighting the sun, her own inconsistent play, and most off all a dangerous opponent, Kerber once again did what she does best by finding ways to win points from what seem like nearly impossible positions on the court.

The World No. 1 used her trademark defense to dent the efforts of the big-hitting Witthoeft. Though currently ranked No. 89 in the world, Witthoeft did trouble Kerber in their last meeting at Wimbledon.

Kerber, leading 2-0 in the second set, started having trouble serving on the far end due to the intense mid-day sun. Witthoeft began making less errors and finding more lines with her strong groundstrokes. Kerber fought hard to hold serve late in the set to eventually force a tiebreak.

Witthoeft raised her game as Kerber struggled on serve again. Despite holding an early lead, Kerber tossed in two double faults in a row that allowed Witthoeft to level the tiebreak.

From there, Witthoeft attacked from the baseline and up at net to take the tiebreak and force a deciding set.

Kerber, despite being broken at love in her opening service game, managed to change the momentum of the match. With angled shots and even a few moonballs, Kerber made Witthoeft hit one extra shot too many.

Witthoeft couldn’t keep up her good form and once again errors flew off of her racquet at the wrong time. Kerber kept her cool when again threatened with several break points on her serve. She managed later to hold for 4-1 and never looked back.

Kerber eventually found herself with a match point while leading 5-2. Witthoeft sent a final forehand into the net that ended the match in Kerber’s favor 6-2, 6-7(3), 6-2.

Kerber will next face the winner between Irina-Camelia Begu or Kristyna Pliskova.



 

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