WTA: Indian Wells: Angelique Kerber beats last year’s winner Elena Vesnina

Angelique Kerber made it to the last sixteen at the WTA tournament in Indian Wells (live on DAZN). The Russian defending champion Elena Vesnina was defeated by Kerber after one hour and 39 minutes with 7:5 and 6:2.

“I got off to a good start, but then came back,”said Kerber,”I think we played really good tennis and I’m happy to be in the next round. The second set looks clearer than the game had actually been played. Every service game was fiercely contested.”

In the first round it made Kerber unnecessarily exciting. The two-time Major winner took the first four games and was on course for victory. But suddenly her game was gone, the balls came too short and she made her opponent strong. Vesnina promptly took command, even taking the lead and beating 5-4 to win the set. But Kerber proved her fighting spirit once again and turned the fourth set point after 55 minutes.

In the second round, the German also started strongly and quickly led 3:0. This time the 30-year-old didn’t let herself get confused, turned her first match point and showed her fists relieved.

Kerber had previously lost her last two duels with Vesnina. The Russian will slip out of the top 40 of the world ranking with her defeat. In the round of the last 16, Kerber will play Frenchman Caroline Garcia. The seventh seedling won against Daria Gavrilova from Australia.