Laura Siegemund (Metzingen) lost her first match at the WTA tournament in New Haven/Connecticut.
In her first Hardcourt match since April 2017, Siegemund defeated Briton Johanna Konta 2:6, 5:7, and after almost 1:45 hours, the former Wimbledon semi-finalist converted her second match point with a backhand winner at the US Open dress rehearsal.
On the Centre Court, Siegemund showed a strong performance, especially in the second round. After the 146th World Rankings, which fell far behind in the ranking due to a cruciate ligament rupture last May, could bring the extremely contested ninth game, equalized contact to 5:5.
The number 46 in the WTA ranking immediately benefited from two consecutive double mistakes by the Swabian, who brought a break point to Konta. She used it for 6:5 – and soon after she was the winner.
Siegemund had recently gained self-confidence with a tournament victory and a final appearance at the ITF events in Bad Saulgau and Hechingen (both on sand). However, the 30-year-old found it very difficult to switch from ash to hard court, especially in the opening set.
Before Siegemund, as always refreshingly variable, could make a move, the rally was over again. But in the course of the match last year’s Stuttgart winner found her way into the match better and better. In the end it was not (yet) enough this time.
Wimbledon semi-finalist Julia Görges (Bad Oldesloe) is thus the only German representative in the round of 16 at the dress rehearsal for the US Open (from August 27). In the round of the last 16, the 29-year-old will face either Danielle Collins (USA) or Dajana Jastremska (UKR). Wimbledon winner Angelique Kerber (Kiel) takes a break in the week before the US Open.