Kiki Bertens keeps on making history as she sealed an 11th top ten win of her career with a 1-6 6-3 6-4 win over Angelique Kerber on her WTA Finals debut.
The Dutchwoman completed victory in two hours as she sealed her 11th top ten win since Madrid this year by defeating Kerber.
Despite a good start, Kerber ultimately lost the match and will face Naomi Osaka on Wednesday in order to stay in the group.
The result means that for the first time since 2003, all opening Round Robin matches have seen the lower-ranked player win.
The Wimbledon champion started the contest well, playing aggressively and with confidence as she was used to the big occasion. While Bertens looked a little bit nervous as this was her debut at the WTA Finals.
The German’s control and poise throughout the first set was certainly impressive and that showed in the score-line as she effortlessly took the opening set 6-1.
Despite splitting with her coach Wim Fissette just before the WTA Finals, Kerber showed no signs of fear or doubt as she broke at the start of the second set.
However a talk from coach, Raemon Sluiter seemed to inspire the Dutchwoman as she started to take the ball earlier especially on Kerber’s second serve.
With confidence, Bertens broke twice in the set and dealt a crucial blow in the eighth game as she served to force a deciding set.
The eighth held to 15 and secured the second set in 39 minutes to raise hopes of securing another top 10 victory.
There were six breaks at the start of the final set as both women looked to be aggressive on return and stamp there authority in this crucial Red Group match.
This was before a confident Bertens showed some fierce on-court play as Kerber’s defence finally broke down and could no longer prevent the Dutchwoman’s attack.
The German tried to grab the break back but it wasn’t enough as a stubborn Bertens secured victory at 00:30 at night. The win is Bertens’ 11th top ten win of her career and will now play Sloane Stephens on Wednesday, with a straight sets win guaranteeing her qualification.
As for the German she will look to bounce back against US Open champion Naomi Osaka, with a win needed t9o give her any hopes of reaching the last four.
