Angelique Kerber wants to expand her good Grand Slam record in Wimbledon in 2018. In round one the Kieler duels with another former finalist.
Angelique Kerber is currently competing with the sun. The fact that London – and thus also the Grand Slam classic in Wimbledon – is expecting a week of dream weather throughout the year is sweetening the mood of the German number one. “We don’t really know London with blue skies and sunshine, but rather with a little rain,” she said to Sky before the tournament: “But I’d rather play when it’s a little warmer.
On Tuesday Kerber will start into the tournament at the classic turf event in the southwest of the English capital. Once again, she is Germany’s greatest hope for women. However, their opening hurdle is a tough one. Against the Russian Vera Zvonareva there will finally be a duel between two former finalists – a tricky task for two-time Major winner Kerber, who is seeded eleventh.
Even though Zvonareva, who had already finished her career and is now also a mother, certainly no longer has the same level as she had with her biggest success in 2010, returning to the tour last year and playing mainly at smaller tournaments since then. Kerber’s still warned. “I don’t think there are easy first rounds, especially at Grand Slam,” she said: “You have to play your best tennis right from the start.”
Kerbers previous grass court season had ups and downs. On Mallorca, the former world number one surprisingly failed in her opening match against US qualifier Alison Riske. A week later in Eastbourne the shape of the Kieler showed a steep upward curve. Only in the semi-finals Kerber had to admit defeat in a close match to the later tournament winner Caroline Wozniacki from Denmark.
A defeat that, despite a missed match ball, gave her much impetus and self-confidence for the highlight in Wimbledon. “It usually takes me a day or two longer to get rid of those matches, but this time it was relatively quick,” Kerber said. After taking part in the Australian Open semi-finals and reaching the quarter-finals at the French Open, she also wants to achieve a good Grand Slam result in London.
Kerner’s flat, direct counter tennis fits well on grass despite its extremely expandable net play. Ideally, this works as well as in 2016, when she lost to Serena Williams in the final. “I know what it’s like to play well here. I know what it’s like to enjoy it here,” she said.
Especially when the temperatures are as announced: “The weather makes a big difference here in Wimbledon. “When the sun shines, I feel better on the court.”