Kerber wins in Strasbourg

Final day in Strasbourg.

2022 Internationaux de Strasbourg, a WTA 250 tournament, on Clay, in Strasbourg, France, 15-21 May 2022.

2021 champion (not defending):

Barbora Krejcikova (5) who defeated Sorana Cirstea 6-3 6-3

Final:

Kaja Juvan (Slovenia) v wildcard Angelique Kerber (2) (Germany)

Juvan won their only preview encounter - the opening round of Roland Garros 2020.

Juvan was in her first final, competing against a three time major champion.

Juvan served first and held.

Then three successive breaks of serve left Juvan ahead 3-1.

Serving for the set at 5-3, Juvan was broken and Kerber trailed 4-5.

Kerber then saved a set point before levelling at 5-5.

The pair exchanged service breaks which led to a tie break.

Six of the first seven points went against serve, which effectively left them square.

Serving at 5-6, and facing set point, Juvan lost the point and the set. Kerber led 7-6(5).

Juvan began set two by breaking Kerber and consolidating the break.

Kerber avoided a double break by saving four break points in a lengthy third game.

However she was broken to love in the fifth game.

Another long game saw Kerber save three break points and hold for 3-4.

Then the second seed broke Juvan to square things at 4-4.

A second tie break eventuated, and this was a Juvan whitewash.

Kaja Juvan had tied the contest 6-7(5) 7-6(0).

In the decider, games three and four were long and both resulted in service breaks.

No other breaks, and a third tie break arrived.

At 3-4, Juvan had two serves to come. She lost a point on the first of these, leaving Kerber at 5-4 and two serves in hand.

The first serve and a point to Kerber - 6-4 and two match points.

One saved, but serving at 5-6, Juvan failed to win the point, and the match ended.

Angie Kerber won the Strasbourg title 7-6(5) 6-7(0) 7-6(5)