Re: Angelique Kerber
: 01 lip 2021, 23:09
Spoiler:
Battling Coco Gauff fails in bid to become youngest quarter-finalist in ladies' singles since Maria Sharapova READ MORE
BY SARAH EDWORTHY
SOCIAL
John McEnroe billed this clash of youth versus experience as a popcorn match, the match of the day, impossible to call.
And hunger – of the competitive variety, not for fluffy corn kernels – was the driver of this fabulous contest on Centre Court between the record-breaking teenager Coco Gauff and the former world No.1 Angelique Kerber.
After a 76-minute feast of extraordinary angles and agile defensive play, it was Kerber, the 2018 Wimbledon champion – and the only champion still in the draw – whose game had that crucial little bit of extra bite to earn the 6-4, 6-4 victory over a 17-year-old playing in only her third tournament on grass.
CENTRE COURT
LADIES' SINGLESFOURTH ROUND
USA
C. GAUFF
20
44
PTS12345
GER
A. KERBER
25
66
DURATION: 1:16COMPLETED
It was a cagey start from both players, getting a feel for each other’s game in their first meeting, and adapting to the blustery conditions. Five consecutive breaks of serve acted as a settler, leaving Kerber with the advantage of a break - and from there on she rallied back to maintain control with poise and intent.
With this gutsy performance, the 33-year-old No.25 seed reaches her fifth quarter-final here, and progresses to a berth in the last eight of a Grand Slam for the first time since her Wimbledon title run in 2018. Rediscovering her competitive appetite, seasoned by dollops of experience, she countered Gauff’s impressive power and athleticism at the decisive moments.
Now on a nine-match winning streak on grass, Kerber clearly wants more. Next up, Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic, a semi-finalist at the Australian Open this year.
“I am really looking forward to playing my next match tomorrow because this is such a magical place for me and I will try to do my best,” Kerber said.
COCO GAUFF VS ANGELIQUE KERBER: FOURTH ROUND HIGHLIGHTS
“I like to play match by match and, you know, with every single match I am here to win, but I’m not looking too much ahead. I try to stay in the moment, enjoy every single moment. It’s great to be back here.”
She may have been talking about being back at the All England Club in the geographical sense, but Kerber is also back at the top of her game.
From the start of 2016 up to her 2018 Wimbledon title, she dominated the women’s game, collecting titles and achievements with ease. In 2016 alone, she claimed the Australian and US Open titles, a runner-up finish at Wimbledon, an Olympic silver medal and the world No.1 ranking.
There ensued a period which can best be called average, when she appeared to find the expectation of being a multiple defending champion hard to handle, and ultimately lost her love of the game. With three Grand Slam titles to her name, was her hunger for success satiated?
MATCH STATISTICS
CG AK
6 ACES 3
2 DOUBLE FAULTS 5
35/62 (56%) 1ST SERVE IN 42/60 (70%)
2/6 (33%) BREAK POINTS WON 4/5 (80%)
25 WINNERS 22
27 UNFORCED ERRORS 20
57 TOTAL POINTS WON 65
Roll on three years and this was the old Kerber back at her counter-punching best: retrieving relentlessly, executing the wiliest of shot choices at key moments, running Gauff off her feet with changes of directions and angles. Her compact game, remarkable court coverage and anticipation enabled her to win the “battle of real estate”, to borrow Tracy Austin’s phrase.
On the eve of this match Kerber acknowledged she was up against a young talent who plays with hunger for success: “She’s really putting all the effort she has into every single match so I know it will be tough,” she said.
Gauff fell short in her bid to become the youngest woman to reach a Wimbledon quarter final since Maria Sharapova in 2004, but she left with the ringing endorsement of Kerber, a champion whose game comes alive on grass.
“Coco is such a great, talented player and, sure, she’s a newcomer with such a great future in front of her. I am sure she will have a great career and that she will play here many times, and maybe one time she will get the title because I like how she is playing, how she is so professional.”
MUTUAL RESPECT
I TRY TO STAY IN THE MOMENT, ENJOY EVERY SINGLE MOMENT. IT’S GREAT TO BE BACK HERE
KERBER
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BY SARAH EDWORTHY
SOCIAL
John McEnroe billed this clash of youth versus experience as a popcorn match, the match of the day, impossible to call.
And hunger – of the competitive variety, not for fluffy corn kernels – was the driver of this fabulous contest on Centre Court between the record-breaking teenager Coco Gauff and the former world No.1 Angelique Kerber.
After a 76-minute feast of extraordinary angles and agile defensive play, it was Kerber, the 2018 Wimbledon champion – and the only champion still in the draw – whose game had that crucial little bit of extra bite to earn the 6-4, 6-4 victory over a 17-year-old playing in only her third tournament on grass.
CENTRE COURT
LADIES' SINGLESFOURTH ROUND
USA
C. GAUFF
20
44
PTS12345
GER
A. KERBER
25
66
DURATION: 1:16COMPLETED
It was a cagey start from both players, getting a feel for each other’s game in their first meeting, and adapting to the blustery conditions. Five consecutive breaks of serve acted as a settler, leaving Kerber with the advantage of a break - and from there on she rallied back to maintain control with poise and intent.
With this gutsy performance, the 33-year-old No.25 seed reaches her fifth quarter-final here, and progresses to a berth in the last eight of a Grand Slam for the first time since her Wimbledon title run in 2018. Rediscovering her competitive appetite, seasoned by dollops of experience, she countered Gauff’s impressive power and athleticism at the decisive moments.
Now on a nine-match winning streak on grass, Kerber clearly wants more. Next up, Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic, a semi-finalist at the Australian Open this year.
“I am really looking forward to playing my next match tomorrow because this is such a magical place for me and I will try to do my best,” Kerber said.
COCO GAUFF VS ANGELIQUE KERBER: FOURTH ROUND HIGHLIGHTS
“I like to play match by match and, you know, with every single match I am here to win, but I’m not looking too much ahead. I try to stay in the moment, enjoy every single moment. It’s great to be back here.”
She may have been talking about being back at the All England Club in the geographical sense, but Kerber is also back at the top of her game.
From the start of 2016 up to her 2018 Wimbledon title, she dominated the women’s game, collecting titles and achievements with ease. In 2016 alone, she claimed the Australian and US Open titles, a runner-up finish at Wimbledon, an Olympic silver medal and the world No.1 ranking.
There ensued a period which can best be called average, when she appeared to find the expectation of being a multiple defending champion hard to handle, and ultimately lost her love of the game. With three Grand Slam titles to her name, was her hunger for success satiated?
MATCH STATISTICS
CG AK
6 ACES 3
2 DOUBLE FAULTS 5
35/62 (56%) 1ST SERVE IN 42/60 (70%)
2/6 (33%) BREAK POINTS WON 4/5 (80%)
25 WINNERS 22
27 UNFORCED ERRORS 20
57 TOTAL POINTS WON 65
Roll on three years and this was the old Kerber back at her counter-punching best: retrieving relentlessly, executing the wiliest of shot choices at key moments, running Gauff off her feet with changes of directions and angles. Her compact game, remarkable court coverage and anticipation enabled her to win the “battle of real estate”, to borrow Tracy Austin’s phrase.
On the eve of this match Kerber acknowledged she was up against a young talent who plays with hunger for success: “She’s really putting all the effort she has into every single match so I know it will be tough,” she said.
Gauff fell short in her bid to become the youngest woman to reach a Wimbledon quarter final since Maria Sharapova in 2004, but she left with the ringing endorsement of Kerber, a champion whose game comes alive on grass.
“Coco is such a great, talented player and, sure, she’s a newcomer with such a great future in front of her. I am sure she will have a great career and that she will play here many times, and maybe one time she will get the title because I like how she is playing, how she is so professional.”
MUTUAL RESPECT
I TRY TO STAY IN THE MOMENT, ENJOY EVERY SINGLE MOMENT. IT’S GREAT TO BE BACK HERE
KERBER
Click here to join myWimbledon for a range of exclusive benefits, including access to tickets and the ability to personalise your digital experience with us.
Following along from home this year?
You can still experience the classic Wimbledon atmosphere on the Virtual Hill, presented by our Official Partner American Express.
Register now to visit and win daily prizes, including tickets to The Championships 2022.