What a fight, what a thriller!
Angelique Kerber (34) reached the second round at the French Open against Magdalena Frech (24) from Poland, winning 2: 6, 6: 3, 7: 5. After 2:27 hours, Germany’s number 1 converted their second match point and then made waves with the many German fans. They celebrated with loud Angie songs.
In the second round on Thursday, Kerber meets Frenchwoman Elsa Jacquemot (19), number 215 in the world. She’s the clear favorite there too.
Just two days earlier she had won the tournament in Strasbourg! Now this energy performance against number 89 in the world. The woman from Kiel had come to the city of love on the train and was visibly tired.
The training seemed to have gone well. “She told me she could hardly get out of bed. But then she hopped across the pitch like a young deer,” said training partner Andrea Petkovic (34).
But on Court 6 at 15 degrees and drizzle, the three-time Grand Slam winner felt visibly uncomfortable. Many unforced errors made life easy for her opponent. Kerber managed to break again after 1: 5, but then lost her serve after 21 minutes to lose the set.
After that, however, a completely different picture. The sun came through the thick clouds and the former number 1 saw a light. She suddenly played more confidently, made far fewer mistakes, while her opponent was losing strength. After the 6:3 the game was open again.
Photo: Frank Molter/dpa
” data-zoom-src=”https://bilder.bild.de/fotos/so-eng-wars–angelique-kerber-hatte-gegen-magdalena-frech-einen-schweren-stand-1f691c986be44ec3be99876dc945378f-80185162/Bild /6.image.jpg”/> “It was so close!” Angelique Kerber had a difficult time against Magdalena Frech for a long timePhoto: Frank Molter/dpa
But only briefly. Right at the beginning of the decisive round, the favorite lost her serve. But she didn’t give up. In between, she celebrated great points, spurred the audience to cheer. You rarely see Kerber like this.
Now a true thriller developed. At 4: 5, Kerber missed three breakballs. The last chance to turn was apparently gone before she still got the game after two saved match points – 5:5.
The audience on the small court had long since been carried away by the two protagonists. Kerber brought her serve through to 6:5 and finally the break followed at the best possible time – victory!
