Angelique Kerber and Alexander Zverev will play for the third German title at the Hopman Cup in Perth on Saturday (from 9am at the LIVETICKER). Switzerland with superstar Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic is the expected endurance test on the way to the Australian Open.
Alexander Zverev thanked his mixed partner with a kiss on the cheek and barely managed to get out of the swarm.”She played incredibly well,”said the youngster praising Angelique Kerber:”She is the reason why we are here in the finals” With new self-confidence, the Kiel-based German duo had won the Hopman Cup in a group win and thus had to cope with the hardship.
Zverev (20) can look forward to a duel with his childhood idol Roger Federer on Saturday (from 7:00 a. m. CET) and Kerber tests her early form against the equally magnificent Belinda Bencic. It is about the third German title in Perth and further match practice for the Australian Open (from 15. January). The only German winners of the traditional mixed tournament so far were Michael Stich and Steffi Graf (1993) as well as Boris Becker and Anke Huber (1995).
Kerber (29) seems to be ready for a duel with the Confederates and the first highlight of the young season, which starts nine days later in Melbourne. At the decisive 2:1 against Australia on Friday she declassified the world rankings-25. Daria Gavrilova 6-1,6-2. It was her third two-set win in the third singles of the season. After a few weeks at the side of her new coach Wim Fissette, the two-time Grand Slam winner seems to have checked out last year’s crash.
“I’m really very happy about my three victories. It’s only the beginning of the year, but having played three good matches already gives me a lot of self-confidence in front of Melbourne,”Kerber said.
Zverev, on the other hand, is still in search of his top form, the match against Federer will give an indication of how far the world ranking fourth is already in his preparation. While Zverev lost his second defeat against Thanasi Kokkinakis 7-5,6-7 (4-7), 4-6 in Perth, old master Federer is still without losing the set.
It’s a new year, I’m a nice guy, so please leave the Hopman Cup to the younger generation,”Zverev said in the direction of Federer, with whom he has a friendly relationship.
Against Switzerland, however, it must increase. The volley weaknesses of the native-born hamburger were once again evident in the mixed, but Kerber fought back against the defeat. With 1:4,4:1 and 4:3 (5:3), the German duo won the match and secured first place in Group B ahead of Belgium with 3:0 points.
Federer and Bencic marched through the group stage without losing their match and are also playing for the third title for their country. Federer is still without losing the set, Bencic continued last year’s winning streak. The 20-year-old, who had been injured for a long time, triumphed in three smaller WTA tournaments at the end of the season. Zverev and Kerber are waiting for the expected stages on their way to Melbourne.