Tennis: Kerber, Cibulkova Survive Scares In Brisbane
Zeeshan Mehtab Published January 04, 2017 | 08:45 PM
BRISBANE, Australia, Jan 4, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 04th Jan, 2017 ) - World number one Angelique Kerber survived a big scare from Australian wildcard Ashleigh Barty to progress to the quarter-finals of the Brisbane International on Wednesday.
The reigning Australian and US Open champion held on to beat the impressive Barty in three sets 6-3, 2-6, 6-3. Barty, the 2011 junior Wimbledon champion, walked away from the sport at the end of 2014 and only returned for four tournaments in 2016.
However, the 20-year-old from Brisbane is now back on the tour full-time and she showed local fans what they have been missing with a brave fight against Kerber. Showing no nerves, Barty opened an early lead, only for Kerber to claw her way back and claim the opening set.
Barty again skipped away to an early lead in the second set but this time an error-prone Kerber was unable to recover. However, the German cut out the mistakes to break Barty early in the final set and held on to win in one hour, 44 minutes and set up a quarter-final against Ukraine's Elina Svitolina.
"It's always tough to play a match after such a long break, and Ashleigh was playing very well from the first point," Kerber said. "It's always different starting the year, and the first matches are always tough.
"You have to get again into the rhythm and play a lot of matches to feel your game." Second seeded Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova was also forced to dig deep before beating China's Zhang Shuai 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.
After losing the first set Cibulkova seemed in control when she took the second and went 4-0 up in the third. But Zhang fought back to 4-4 before the Slovakian claimed the last two games to move into the quarter-finals.
"I knew it was not going to be easy. I didn't expect to play my best tennis today, but, you know, I'm happy I managed to come back into the match," Cibulkova said. "She was playing really well, but then I started to use my weapons much more.
I started to be much more aggressive on the return with my forehands, and I didn't let her in the game." Cibulkova enjoyed a breakthrough 2016, winning the WTA Finals in October when she beat Kerber in the decider.
She started the year at a career high five in the world and said it was difficult adjusting to the expectations that were now on her. "You can feel the expectation and the pressure -- this is what I'm trying to deal with," she said.
She now plays Frenchwoman Alize Cornet in the quarter-finals, a player she lost to in their last two meetings. Two-time Grand Slam singles winner Svetlana Kuznetsova ended 16-year-old Australian qualifier Destanee Aiava's run with a comfortable 6-4, 6-3 win, while Italian eighth seed Roberta Vinci looked equally at ease as she downed Japan's Misaki Doi 6-4, 6-2.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
PTI to stage nationwide protests against alleged electoral frauds
Senate continues discussion on Presidential address to Joint Sitting of Parliame ..
Masood Khan calls for Pak-US cooperation for regional peace
Interior Minister starts Margalla Trail Patrol for security
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 26 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 26 April 2024
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable ..
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
More Stories From Sports
-
Father, son killed in firing
49 minutes ago -
Victor Boniface: Leverkusen boss Alonso makes you 'up your game'
4 hours ago -
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable victory over UAE
8 hours ago -
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
14 hours ago -
National Hockey camp to be organized for Azlan Shah tournament
15 hours ago -
Islamabad Tennis Club demolished by CDA amid anti-encroachment action at public park: Tarar
17 hours ago
-
Shayan, Rashid, Junaid to represent Pakistan in U12 Regional Qualifying Jrs
18 hours ago -
Olympic Games Paris 2024: How teams qualified
18 hours ago -
ICC T20 World Cup 2024 trophy unveiled in Islamabad
17 hours ago -
Pakistan to tour New Zealand for 3 ODIs, 5 T20Is next March
18 hours ago -
Xavi and Barca remain tied in marriage of convenience
17 hours ago -
Pakistan Master Tenpin Bowling C'ship postponed
17 hours ago