WTA: Beijing – Angelique Kerber again with opener over Naomi Osaka

Angelique Kerber Kerber won her opening match at the WTA Premier Mandatory tournament in Beijing.

Angelique Kerber has overcome the opening hurdle at the WTA Premier Mandatory tournament in Beijing.The former world number one from Kiel defeated the Japanese Naomi Osaka 6:2,7:5 in the first round, just like two weeks ago in Tokyo, and now meets Alize Cornet (France) or Yafan Wang (China).In Tokyo, Kerber had reached a semi-final on the Tour for the first time since April.

The two-time Grand Slam winner took Osaka’s serve five times and turned her first match point after 1:29 hours.The paths of Kerber and Osaka are currently meeting frequently: at the US Open, the defending champion had lost 3-6,1-6 to Osaka and Carina Witthöft made it into the main draw.