World No.1 Angelique Kerber overcame some tough resistance from Dominika Cibulkova to clinch a 7-6(5), 2-6, 6-3, win on the opening day of the WTA Finals in Singapore.
In a match where both players displayed some of their best tennis, the crowd was treated to an array of winners in an encounter full of twists and turns. Clinching the opening set in just over an hour, Kerber was forced to contend with a variety of powerful shots from her Slovakian opponent as Cibulkova claimed four straight games in the second before levelling the match.
Kerber, who is bidding to reach the last four in the tournament for the first time, faced further difficulty in the final set as she dropped her serve to go behind 1-2. Despite the setback, the German clawed her way back by breaking a tiring Cibulkova two consecutive times to move the momentum back onto her side as she moved to a game away from the win.
Serving for the match, Kerber still had difficulty trying to dampen the spirits of her rival. Leading 30-0, Cibulkova rallied back by winning three consecutive points to earn a break point opportunity. Saving the threat of a break with a winning forehand down the line, the top seed managed to close out the marathon encounter after her rival hit a ball beyond the baseline.
“Domi is a tough opponent, she has played very well in the last few months.” Said Kerber. “She won the last tournament and I was ready for that. I knew that I had to play my best tennis and I really enjoyed the match today. I’m happy that I won it in the end.”
After enduring two roller coaster sets, the world No.1 attributed her third set breakthrough to her aggressive approach. It is now the fifth consecutive time that Kerber has come out on top in matches against Cibulkova (counting the Fed Cup). For the first time in her career, she now leads the head-to-head at 5-4.
“I was trying to stay positive in the third set, trying to play my game. To be aggressive and just go for it. That was my plan.” She Said. “It worked good and I was really focusing on my first serve. (Trying to) serve my first serve in. It was really close and a tough match.”
Awaiting Kerber in the next match of the Red Group will be Simona Halep, who defeated Madison Keys in straight sets earlier today. The German has already defeated her three times this season, but did lose to Halep at the Canadian Open in July.
