Thursday, July 8th, 2021
Update
Wimbledon-off in the semifinals
The best in the world is too good for Kerber
Angelique Kerber plays big at the most famous tennis tournament in the world at Wimbledon. But the semi-finals are over, because the world number one Ashleigh Barty is even stronger than the best German.
Angelique Kerber fought obsessively for every point, cheered herself on loudly again and again and carried away the audience on Center Court – and yet her fabulous trip to Wimbledon is over. After another passionate fight, the dream of the second title fell on the sacred turf after 2018, in the high-class semifinals the world number one Ashleigh Barty was a tad too strong.
The three-time Grand Slam winner had to admit defeat 3: 6, 6: 7 (3: 7) and missed her third final in London. Barty still praised her in the highest tones: “That was one of the best matches I have ever played. Angie got the best out of me,” said the Australian: “It was a crazy match from the first rally. I knew that I would must be so good to beat her. “
Barty reached the final of the tennis classic for the first time and will meet Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) or Karolina Pliskova (Czech Republic) on Saturday (3 p.m. CEST / Sky). With her fourth semi-final at Wimbledon, Kerber will climb six places to 22nd in the world rankings next week.
Barty starts like a master
Barty and Kerber had already faced each other four times before on the tour, with a balanced balance they went into their first duel on grass. The Australian had won the last comparison in Wuhan in 2018, but the 25-year-old went into the game with great respect for Kerber, who was eight years her senior.
“One of Angie’s greatest strengths is that she runs, chases the ball and can neutralize my aggressive strokes and weapons in uncomfortable situations,” said Barty – but the Kiel woman quickly realized that that alone would not be enough. As soon as Kerber became even a little too passive, she saw no land against Barty’s power and precision with the strong forehand, and immediately gave up her first service game.
The German number one had to look for the offensive and fight hard for every point because Barty hardly gave her any presents. The Australian also appeared a tad more determined in tricky situations – four of her five service games in the first set went beyond debut – and fended off all three break chances of Kerber’s. After 34 minutes, she bagged the first round with an ace.
“Nice advertisement for women’s tennis”
How dangerous Kerber still is after the first half of the season to be forgotten on grass, she has only proven in the past three weeks. With ten wins in a row and the title in Bad Homburg, she went into her fourth semifinals on Church Road. The former number one in the world fought and cheered loudly, defused Barty’s unpleasant, deep backhand slice well – and found the immensely important boost for the second set with the break to 2-0.
In a high-class match it was now more and more often Kerber who drove the 2019 French Open winner in front of her, with her emotions she also carried away the audience on the packed Center Court. “Both players have an extremely high level,” said the former semi-finalist Julia Görges on Sky: “This is great advertising for women’s tennis.”
The momentum was clearly on Kerber’s side – until she served to win the set and gave the game to zero. The tension reached its peak in the tie-break, but the Kielerin was out of breath after another heroic fight.
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