SINGAPORE: Angelique Kerber was given a harsh reminder of the pressure she faces as the new world number one when she was pushed to three sets before winning her opening match at the WTA Finals against Dominika Cibulkova here on Sunday.
The German was pushed all the way by an inspired Cibulkova before the Slovakian finally cracked and Kerber prevailed 7-6 (7-5), 2-6, 6-3.
Although it was not her most convincing display, Kerber’s hard-fought victory underlined her determination to cap her incredible season by adding the prestigious end-of-season championship to her Australian Open and US Open titles.
Simona Halep, who looms as one of Kerber’s biggest threats, also laid down an ominous marker as she demolished rising American Madison Keys 6-2, 6-4 in the first match of the $7 million tournament.
A finalist two years ago, the Romanian looked in great touch on her return to Singapore’s purple indoor hardcourt, needing just over an hour to win her round-robin contest with Keys.
Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2016
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