Serena Williams exacts revenge on Kerber
World No 1 begins defence of her WTA Championship title with an easy win over German, the only player to have beaten her last year
Top-ranked Serena Williams breezed past Angelique Kerber 6-3, 6-1 to open her bid for a fourth ATP Championships title on Tuesday.
Williams, the defending champion, had no trouble against Kerber, who also lost to the American 6-4, 6-1 in the round-robin at this event last year. Kerber was the only player to beat Williams last year – in Cincinnati – after the American’s first-round ouster at the French Open.
“Today she was playing unbelievable, and I had actually no chance. I mean, she was serving great and also returning unbelievable,” Kerber said. “So I was just giving all I could, but yeah, it’s tough to play against Serena like this.”
Williams was particularly effective with her backhand return, the shot she also used on her first match point. Kerber, who had two straight double-faults to surrender the first game of the second set, produced another to give Williams three match points.
“Tonight was fine. Always good to get here early, not too early for me, but it’s good to get here and feel the conditions. Plus, I have played here before, so I think that helped, “Williams said.
Although she is 32, considered a ripe age in tennis, Williams is enjoying the finest season in her career, having already won 10 titles. She added the French Open and US Open titles to bring her grand slam record to 17 championships and is 74-4 for the year.