Angelique Kerber strains past Mona Barthel to reach the semi-finals – e-Boks Open 2012
All-German quarter-final clash of the e-Boks Open was settled in favour of the second seed Angelique Kerber on Friday. The world number 15 took down her fellow compatriot, Mona Barthel, in three gruelling sets, 6-2, 0-6, 7-5, to
book a berth in the semi-final round of the coveted event being played in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The contest lasted for one hour and 52 minutes, with Kerber turning the tables on the 37th ranked German after an intense battle. It was the second encounter between these two Germans this season, with Barthel winning
the earlier battle, 6-0, 7-6(6), in Hobart. Kerber took the better of Barthel this time round, levelling the head-to-head series at 1-1 against her.
The second seed German took off the matchup in belligerent fashion and blasted her way past Barthel to clinch the opener with authority. A major momentum swing took place in the very next set, as the sixth seed Barthel came out
firing at her opponent. She broke Kerber in every single serve game to take the second set with a bagel. With the score-line tied at one-all, the decider was bound to be a nail-biter. Both Germans fought desperately to stay alive in the competition but it
was Kerber who nailed a vital serve break towards the end of the third set to wrap up victory in style.
"It was a very tough match. Mona played unbelievable tennis, especially in the second, where I actually had no chance," said Kerber after confirming a spot in the semi-finals of the e-Boks Open. "I'm tired physically, but it was
even tougher mentally, because it went back and forth. I'm really happy that I could get back from 5-2 down in the third."
Both players registered six break points apiece but Kerber was the one who kept delivering decisive blows on crucial moments of the match to seal victory. The German winner will play against the third seed former world number one,
Jelena Jankovic of Serbia, in the semi-final draw of the tournament. Jankovic took down the fifth seed Estonian, Kaia Kanepi, 4-6, 6-1, 6-3, in the quarter-final matchup on Friday to reach the last-four.
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