Singapore. When Angelique Kerber spoke about the tennis world championship in general these days, it was also about the appeal of the unique format. “The crazy thing is, you can lose a game and still win the tournament,” she said. Unfortunately, the Wimbledon winner has to hope for exactly this special turn of events after her first appearance at the 2018 Championships, for a powerful reversal after an unnecessary false start.
Kerber started furiously in her first group game at the Singapore Sports Center, dominating Dutch debutant Kiki Bertens at will, went on to win the first set of the Centre Court 6-1 after half an hour.
But when the final account was presented half an hour after midnight, Kerber had lost the game 6-1, 3-6 and 4-6 to the 26-year-old substitute who had replaced the injured world number one Simona Halep at the last second.
No wonder Kerber with a petrified face marched off from the scene of her superfluous defeat. Or rather, escaped. It only took a few seconds after the lost match point, then the 30-year-old world runner-up, who had fired her Belgian coach Wim Fissette before the tournament, had already disappeared into the catacombs of the arena.
Now it’s all about everything or nothing for Kerber on Wednesday, in the duel with US Open winner Naomi Osaka, in this season’s final competition. It’s a duel between the last two Grand Slam winners.
But also the duel of the players, who both lost their first game at this World Cup. Osaka, the New York conqueror of Serena Williams, lost to the American Sloane Stephens 5:7, 6:4 and 1:6 at the start of the tournament.
There was a roller coaster ride like in the opening game between Kerber and Bertens, who had to wait agonizingly long, until 22.30 o’clock, for their deployment. Kerber, however, started the game impressively, she did almost everything right in the first seven games and exactly 31 minutes, acting powerful, courageous and tactically flexible.
“I’m really looking forward to this World Cup”, Kerber had said before the Championships – and with this positive, refreshing attitude she also played tennis at first, sometimes as compellingly and convincingly as at her great Grand Slam moment on the green tennis courts in the London summer.
Until then Bertens only seemed like an extra in the Kerber show, but from the middle of the second movement the balance of power shifted. Also because Kerber seemed to have used up their courage and power in the enthusiastic start phase. The Germans became more and more defensive, hesitant and cautious, it was a symbolic retreat – and already the way to defeat.
Bertens took advantage of the opportunities that suddenly presented themselves and not only got into the game better, but also suddenly led the rhythm and took over the direction. “I’ve always believed in myself. And I showed my best tennis at the right moment”, Bertens said afterwards.
After the 1:1 set equalization, it seemed in the third set as if no player could or wanted to win this game decisively. The first seven games all went to the backslapper, it was just one break festival. Again and again, Kerber made up for the deficit she had previously incurred by losing her own serve.
But finally her nerves also played a trick on her, at 3:3: In the meantime she led 40:15, but still lost the service game. Then she had the next break, the eighth in a row, on the racket at 40:0, but lost the game to 3:5. It was the preliminary decision, because just two minutes later everything was over for Kerber. At least in this game, even if not yet in this World Cup 2018.