The German Fed Cup team has its back to the wall in the semi-final against the Czech Republic on Sunday in the Porsche Arena in Stuttgart. Julia Görges and Angelique Kerber have to take care of the compensation.
(11:00 am, live on DAZN and in the Live-Ticker)
The German number one started strongly on Saturday, but was without a chance against a very well-disposed Petra Kvitova in the end. Kvitova dictated most of the rallies from the second stroke at the latest, Görges could never really get offensive. This danger also exists against Pliskova, who is always on the offensive with her serve and almost spin-free play.
Görges and Pliskova know each other very well; in 2016 they travelled to the WTA final in Singapore as doubles. In the following year, both players concentrated on their individual interests, which earned Pliskova first place in the world rankings at short notice, and Görges two major tournament victories in Moscow and Zhuhai at the end of the season.
The balance against each other is still quite short, although clearly in favor of Pliskova.
(second match after 11:00 a.m., live on DAZN and in the Live-Ticker)
The defeat against Pliskova on Saturday was Angelique Kerber’s first appearance on Sand 2018, and Petra Kvitova also gave her annual Ash premiere in Stuttgart, if one believes the Czech’s presentation at the press conference after her victory over Julia Görges. Not quite natural – but the performances in Charleston have successfully ousted the double Wimbledon winner.
Kerber had the biggest problems with Pliskova’s serve, the bad news is: This is also Petra Kvitova’s cream topping. The better news, however, is that Kvitova have rarely played two good matches in a row in recent months. It’s nice that the two ladies will play against each other again next week at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, for the third time in total.
From a German perspective, the balance between Kerber and Kvitova gives cause for hope.