Serena Williams accomplishes revenge mission against Angelique Kerber – WTA Championships 2012
Former world number one, Serena Williams, smashed a barrage of winners to settle scores with the left-handed German superstar, Angelique Kerber, at Istanbul. She crossed the first hurdle at the WTA Championships in just 78 minutes
on Tuesday.
In their only meeting of the season, Kerber stunned the third ranked American in straight sets to reach the semi-final of the Western and Southern Open. However, it was a sweet revenge for the 31-year-old superstar who is still
going strong and the hot favourite to clinch the year-end title.
Williams commented about her loss to Kerber in their previous meeting, “Honestly, you don't think about it too much. Obviously I'm thinking, 'Okay, she's beaten me before, so she's going to be a little confident and feel like she
can beat me again. What can I do to improve?' But I really just wanted to do well and win today.”
She was playing her first match since her conquest of the US Open in September. Commenting about the time lapse, Williams said, “I felt like I practiced too much and if I hit another practice ball I'm going to go nuts. I just really
wanted a match. I was glad I played on the first day. I was like, 'If I have another practice day, I don't know if I can handle it.'"
Williams started with a bang; held her serve with just one point spared for her rival and followed it up with a breakthrough to take a lead of 2-0. However, the fifth ranked German fought back with a breakthrough in the fifth game
and equalized the scores with a comfortably serve. No breakthrough was witnessed in the following two games that pushed the scores to 4-4.
The American had so much experience of playing in that critical stage of the set. She held her serve to love. On the other end of the court, Kerber couldn’t handle the scoreboard stress and despite a fighting spirit failed to hold
serve and gifted the opening set. It was just a perfect kick-off for the Williams who was absolutely unstoppable in the following phase.
The 24-year-German held her serve to love in the second game to keep the scores together. However, the onslaught of her rival was a treat to watch. She failed to hold serve in succession and went down to a trail of 1-5; had to
break serve to keep the match. She failed to do that and lost the battle.
Serena Williams will be back in action on Wednesday against Li Na whilst Angelique Kerber will take on Victoria Azarenka later in the day.
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