Kerber’s Grand Slam comeback hits Collins roadblock in Australia

Former Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber lost her first Grand Slam match since giving birth
AFP

Angelique Kerber’s Grand Slam comeback ended with a whimper in the first round of the Australian Open on Tuesday as the new mum crashed out in three sets to Danielle Collins.

In her first major following an 18-month hiatus to give birth, the German fought hard but succumbed to the 2022 Melbourne Park finalist 6-2, 3-6, 6-1.

The unseeded Collins will now play world number one Iga Swiatek.

Collins broke three times in the first set, but three-time major winner Kerber bounced back.

The 35-year-old German saved two break points in the sixth game of the second set, then worked her own break point in the next game, with Collins double-faulting to put the German 4-3 ahead.

It was the glimmer of hope the 2016 Australian Open champion needed, racing through the next two games to level the match.

But Collins kept coming and got a decisive break in the third game of the third set, breaking twice more to romp home.

Reunited with longtime coach Torben Beltz, Kerber’s return from pregnancy leave has been rocky — she lost four of five matches at the United Cup before defeat to Collins.

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Authored by Afp via Breitbart January 15th 2024