Porsche Tennis Grand Prix: Angelique Kerber retired despite a strong performance against Svitolina
The two-time winner of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, Angelique Kerber , was eliminated in the round of 16. She was defeated by Elina Svitolina in two sentences.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Apr 22, 2021, 08:27 pm
Both players exchanged two breaks early, Kerber always came back immediately after their service losses to 1: 2 and 3: 4, at 5: 5 she defended her opponent three more break chances.
Anyway, Kerber held up well, especially at the beginning, appeared offensively and repeatedly scored points with her longline forehand. However, this let them down a bit at the end of set 1, a 3-1 lead in the tie-break was only followed by one point.
In the second round, the Ukrainian managed the decisive break to 3: 1, and Kerber was able to prevent another. Kerber didn't give up, at 3: 5 and 15:15 a well-built attack followed, but Svitolina passed brilliantly. Finally, with a service winner, the fifth in the world rankings took the victory they deserved in the end.
Svitolina extends series against Kerber
For Kerber, the black series against Svitolina continues: since 2016, she has not been able to win against Svitolina and has only got one set in the seven subsequent encounters. Overall, Svitolina now leads 9: 5 in a direct comparison. "Angie gets the best out of me," said Svitolina afterwards. She will meet Petra Kvitova in the quarter-finals.
For Kerber, the appearance in Stuttgart after their unsuccessful start to the season - following the 14-day bubble in Melbourne - should represent a step in the right direction.
Simona Halep had previously made it into the round of the last eight. She beat Marketa Vondrousova 6-3, 6-1
By noon Karolina Pliskova and Aryna Sabalenka had prevailed.
Here the single tableau in Stuttgart
Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart: players, prize money, draw, TV
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