TENNIS French Open – Angelique Kerber survived a big challenge posed by American Varvara Lepchenko, proving to be one of the few seeds passing the round in this day of upsets at Roland Garros. Giulio Gasparin
The German entered the match doubtful of her conditions, after a series of results below her standards in the past weeks, while Lepchenko was showing great form lately.
In addition, the past matches between the two had always been tough battles and only once out of five times Kerber was the winner.
The eighth seed knew she had to raise her level of tennis to the event and in the first set she was fully capable of doing so.
With both players playing a similar tennis and being both left handed, the margin was very little, but Kerber proved to be more clutch and her solid baseline tennis gave her a confident 6-2 lead.
The American took a break between the sets and came back with a clearer idea on how to challenge her opponent and it immediately paid off.
Kerber’s serve was the shot that suffered most from the new challenge posed by Lepchenko’s more aggressive game. Often she was forced to hit second serves and their speed and depth was not enough to pose a threat.
Lepchenko kept the front foot throughout the set and went up 5-3 and serve to her favour.
The eighth seed reacted fiercely and her shots found more power, as much as her grunts did.
She broke back, but the biggest challenge was due, as she needed to save four set points on her serve before catching Lepchenko on 5-5.
The comeback of the German meant a sudden change of momentum and Lepchenko felt it hugely as she got broken once again, giving Kerber the chance to serve for the match.
The eighth seed started confidently and went up 40-0, but all the match points passed too fast and suddenly she faced a break point, which would have meant a tiebreak.
With a stunning backhand cross court, the German cleared it and finally went on closing the match in straight sets 6-2 7-5.
Kerber will now face the winner of Hantuchova-Feuerstein for a place in the second week.