Friday 20 January 2017

Kerber dominant

Kristyna Pliskova from the Czech Republic was charged with the tough task of defeating reigning champion Angelique Kerber in the third round.  Kerber had accounted for Lesia Tsurenko and Carina Witthoeft in her first two matches, while Pliskova won over Viktorija Golubic and 27th seed Irina-Camelia Begu.

Kerber began how she would have wished, breaking the Pliskova serve and then consolidating by holding her own.
It was all unforced errors from Pliskova that gave Kerber the break, and she wasn't all that convincing when serving, needing to save a break point.

However, she led and broke a second time, to lead 3-0.  Pliskova had served multiple aces and led 40-0 but surrendered it all with mistakes.  Kerber was hardly needing to do a thing - just stand there and wait for the errors.

When she broke for a third time, Angie actually hit a couple of forehand winners to complement the Pliskova error donations and the lead was 5-0.  
About 20 minutes was the time needed to wrap up set one 6-0 and this was as one sided as I'd seen any part of a tennis match so far in Aus Open 2017.

Not any better for Kristyna in set two because Angie was after more blood.  The top seed broke immediately, her placement immaculate giving absolutely nothing away.
Even more to like in the next game when on serve she delivered a range of shots from the very top drawer.
Kristyna finally made the scoreboard in the third game when she put all the pieces together and held serve.

Angie had dropped slightly in her quality of output and it showed in her next service game, where Pliskova was able to take advantage of short balls, and added to the double fault and unexpected errors, break back for 2-2.

Seriously in the contest now Pliskova held serve again to lead the set 3-2, and then hold another break point on the Kerber serve.
Angie survived it and games were 3-3.

At 4-4 and 30-15 Kerber ended a fine rally with a brilliant shot which turned the game around and eventually errors from the Czech racquet delivered a vital break to Kerber.
5-4 and serving for a fourth round spot.

Down 15-30, Kerber stayed focussed and won through 6-0 6-4.

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