Angie 2.0: For many, Angelique Kerber is the top favourite for the Australian Open title at the latest after her gala against Maria Sharapova. However, the Kieler doesn’t want to put any pressure on herself before her last 16 against a Taiwanese outsider with a two-handed forehand.
From Ulrike Weinrich from Melbourne
The day after her much-noticed gala against a completely overtaxed Sharapova, Angelique Kerber searched a little bit for seclusion. She completed her training session on Sunday noon local time in the hall of the National Tennis Center – right next to the tournament grounds on Batman Avenue. A good move in the increasingly humid conditions that replaced the scorching Sahara heat in Melbourne this weekend.
The training session under the radar instead of the presentation plate for fans and journalists also had the advantage that Kerber was not constantly confronted with her new role – that of the tournament’s favourite,”but I also know how to hide it. And I really only think from match to match,”she said before the round of sixteen on Monday against the unconventional playing Su-Wei Hsieh from Taiwan (WTA No. 88).
Kerber is the rediscovered lust for her profession. Twelve victories in twelve matches in 2018 make you self-confident. The former number one is not only convincing on the court these days, but also in her statements. I have matured – as a human being and a player “The process was particularly painful in her nightmare year of 2017. She felt “empty, disoriented”. The 30-year-old has suffered – and has had a hard time trying to change her coach.
The willingness to change and the so far perfect realisation of the plans with the new coach Wim Fissette could lead to a revival down under with Angie 2.0 as protagonist “When I came to the Rod Laver Arena, the feelings of 2016 were back. I will try to take these moments further,”Kerber said after demonstrating her new-old strength against Sharapova (6-1,6-3). Two years ago, she had experienced her very personal moon landing on the 15,000 spectator Centre Court with its water-blue Plexicushion coating and won her first Grand Slam title after winning the final against Serena Williams (USA).
Twenty-four months later, Boris Becker is not only confident that the former number one will be able to claim another triumph in Melbourne Park, which would perhaps taste a bit sweeter than 2016’s.”In this form, Angie is the tournament favourite,”confirmed Eurosport expert Becker. The Sunday Age raved:”Kerber dismantled Sharapova with ease”. The Herald Sun printed a half-page photo of the jubilant Kerber in its Sunday edition – as a contrast program, a picture of the completely desperate Sharapova was snapped in at the top right.
At the other end of the world, Kerber is missing two more victories to return to the top ten. It’s just supposed to be a stopover on the way back. No more – and no less. We’re just at the beginning,”said the left-handed woman, who called the Belgian’s commitment a” right decision “:” I needed a new voice, I needed the change “.
Above all, Fissette worked with Kerber and changed technical things. For example, it no longer pulls the left leg up and is therefore not as frontal as in the past,”I knew that the serve was a deficit. He feels safer now,”she said. Against Sharapova, the two-time Major Winner won the point in 86 percent of the cases when the first came. In addition, it now relies on tried and tested qualities. I can trust my footwork,”explained Kerber, and in the English part of the press conference I pushed the meaningful phrase:” I can run forever “. It could be her “run” – like 2016.