BJK Cup qualifiers: Germany - Kazakhstan 0-1 - Angelique Kerber loses the first single against Yulia Putintseva
After a three-set defeat by Angelique Kerber in the first individual of the BJK Cup qualifying match between Germany and Kazakhstan in Nur-Sultan, the DTB selection is already under a lot of pressure.
by SID
last edit: Apr 15, 2022, 11:42 am
Angelique Kerber lost her opening singles at the Billie Jean King Cup, for the German tennis players the away game in Kazakhstan will be the expected high hurdle. The three-time Grand Slam winner from Kiel lost to world number 52 on clay in Nur-Sultan. Yulia Putintseva 6:3, 3:6, 2:6.
In the second single of qualifying for the final round (November 8th to 13th), Laura Siegemund is already under pressure against Kazakh number one Jelena Rybakina. Two more singles and one doubles are scheduled for Saturday. The loser of the duel plays against the relegation team (November 11/12) from the group of top teams.
Weak spring for Kerber continues
After two clear victories in 2019 (Indian Wells) and 2020 (Luxembourg), Kerber (34) also dominated the first set against Putinzewa (27). However, the Russian-born improved, while Kerber made more and more mistakes. After 1:56 hours, Putintseva converted her third match point.
For Kerber, the weak spring continues after their preparation, which was impaired by Corona. Her only two wins of the season came in Indian Wells, at the Australian Open, in Qatar and Miami ended in the first round. The German team needs its top player in top form.
DTB team without Petkovic in Nur-Sultan
Siegemund has recently won two titles and self-confidence in doubles, but after a long knee injury she lacks match practice and is also world number 19. Rybakina as a strong clay court player. After Andrea Petkovic's cancellation, Jule Niemeier and Anna-Lena Friedsam are still in the squad.
Germany has twice won the women's team competition, formerly known as the Fed Cup (1987 and 1992). Eight years ago, the team was in the final (1: 3 in the Czech Republic), even then with Kerber in first place. Last year, for the first time, a final tournament was held for the twelve best teams. In Prague, Kerber and Co. were eliminated in the group phase.