Angelique Kerber holds off Parmentier push to advance to round four at Indian Wells
German might yet celebrate her return to number one after battling past Frenchwoman 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 to reach the fourth round
Angelique Kerber might yet celebrate her return to number one with an Indian Wells title after battling past Pauline Parmentier 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 to reach the fourth round on Monday.
Parmentier, the world number 62 from France, had the two-time grand slam champion from Germany on the ropes with a break and a 4-1 lead in the third set.
But Kerber fought back with a break in the seventh game and another in a marathon 11th game that gave her a 6-5 lead and a chance to serve for the match.
“I think I was starting to believe in myself again and trying to take this challenge and trying to play point by point,” Kerber said of her mindset after going down a break in the deciding set.
“I was not thinking about what has happened before, just going for it and trying to move in good, bring a lot of balls back, and going for it when I have the chance.”
Kerber, who rose to number one in the world with her US Open triumph last year, is set to regain the summit no matter how far she goes this week thanks to the injury withdrawal of Serena Williams.
She needed two hours and 33 minutes in the baking sun on Stadium Court to get past Parmentier, who until this year had never won a match at Indian Wells in five prior appearances.