tennis
United Cup: Kerber loses to Swiatek
Angelique Kerber had no chance against Iga Swiatek. photo
© Steven Markham/AAP/dpa
For one sentence, Angelique Kerber demands everything from the world number one. Then she has no chance in the final of the United Cup.
This means that Alexander Zverev has to win his individual match against Hubert Hurkacz in order to keep Germany’s chances of winning the team competition title alive.
Kerber showed a strong performance against Swiatek for one set. The 35-year-old played powerfully and repeatedly put the world number one in trouble. However, Kerber was unable to take advantage of her chances and missed five break points in the first round alone. Swiatek took the first set after 48 minutes.
The Pole, who was still unbeaten this year, was unstoppable after that. Swiatek got two quick breaks in the second section and after 1:10 hours she used her first match point.
On Saturday, Kerber won a singles match for the first time after returning from a year and a half of maternity leave. In the semi-final against Australia, Kerber won a nerve-wracking duel with Ajla Tomljanovic 4:6, 6:2, 7:6 (9:7). Kerber is making her comeback on the tennis tour at the mixed event after the birth of her daughter Liana at the end of February 2023.