In the absence of reigning Wimbledon champion Serena Williams, 2016 finalist Angelique Kerber had the honour of opening Day 2 play on Centre Court. The world No. 1, who has struggled in 2017, won in straight sets 6-4, 6-4 over American qualifier Irina Falconi.
No.1 Angelique Kerber is through with a 64 64 win over Irina Falconi. Faces Kirsten Flipkens next. #Wimbledon
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) July 4, 2017
To start the match, Kerber broke Falconi’s serve at 15, and then held to 30 on a lucky let cord. She then broke again after three break-point chances for 3-0 .
On Kerber’s next service game, Falconi hit a drop shot winner to set up 15-40, and Kerber netted a forehand, reducing her lead to a single break. Falconi consolidated to love for 2-3.
Kerber went on to hold with a backhand winner down the line. Falconi reciprocated, holding by finessing a forehand volley winner. This kept the set close at 3-4 with the German up a break.
Kerber then fought off a break point for 5-3, forcing Falconi to serve to stay in the first set. The American held to 30, but Kerber went on to win the set 6-4 by whipping a lefty forehand winner past Falconi.
Falconi won the first game of the second frame, holding with a forehand pass. Kerber then won at love with a forehand volley. At 1-1, Kerber had a break point, but she proceeded to miss backhands on three consecutive points, allowing Falconi to go into the changeover up 2-1.
Kerber held to 15 on a forehand to tie things at 2, and Falconi lost her serve by netting a slice backhand. This gave Kerber a set-and-a-break lead.
With a forehand pass, Falconi set up a break point, which she converted. She then backed it up on her serve for a 4-3 lead.
But with a love hold, Kerber got the score to 4-4. And Falconi, facing break point, missed a forehand wide, giving the world No. 1 a chance to serve for the set.
Kerber subsequently held to love on a forehand winner to advance to Round 2.
Her next opponent will be No. 88 Kirsten Flipkens, who defeated Misaki Doi 6-4, 6-3.
Kerber mathematically cannot keep her No. 1 status if she does not reach the final at the All England Club this fortnight.
“You know, I’m not thinking about this. I was never thinking about this,” Kerber said of that task. “It’s not in my mind. It’s in my mind to playing good tennis again, to winning matches”
