Stephens beats Bertens in late thriller
Sloane Stephens beat Kiki Bertens in a late-night thriller to top the Red Group – but all four players can still qualify for the semi-finals.
No 5 seed Stephens sealed a 7-6 (7-4), 2-6, 6-3 win at nearly 1am local time, earning her second win in the round-robin stage.
Stephens will face the second-placed Kerber in her final Red Group game, while Bertens and Naomi Osaka meet in the remaining game.
Match report
Angelique Kerber defeated US Open champion Naomi Osaka in three sets in the WTA Finals Red Group in Singapore to get her hopes of qualifying for the next stage back on track.
The German, who lost her opening match to the Netherlands’ Kiki Bertens, beat the Japanese player 6-4 5-7 6-4. Kerber will face Sloane Stephens in her final group match on Friday, with her qualification for the next round dependant upon the result.
Meanwhile Kyle Edmund’s return to court after his maiden ATP Tour title began well as he beat Diego Schwartzman in the Erste Bank Open first round. The British No 1 won the European Open in Antwerp on Sunday for his first trophy on the main tour and followed it up with a 6-3 7-6 (3) win against the Argentinian in Vienna.
It was a tough draw for Edmund, who at 14 is ranked only three places above Schwartzman, and there was very little to choose between the two. The first set was decided by Edmund’s key break of serve at 4-3 and that ended up being the only break point of the match.
Both men dominated on serve in the second set until it went to a tiebreak, where Edmund’s winning mentality shone through, taking it 7/3 to seal a straight-sets win.
It was his 11th victory from his last 13 matches and sets up a second-round meeting with Spain’s Fernando Verdasco.
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Angelique Kerber speaks: “It was two or three points that decided the match, I think it was a really good match. There are a lot of moments, you have to be able to get through it, taking on the challenge. Taking on the challenge, I just try to take it on. It is still a long way to the semi-final but it is good that I have a win under my belt. [On facing Sloane Stephens] I think I have to play my game from first to last. She is a tough opponent.”
Kerber’s greater experience told there in the end - and it took two and a half hours to get there. Osaka has all the shots but she lacks patience, understandable for a 21-year-old, and someone who has come so far in the last few months. The three potential winners she crashed into the net when she might have saved herself were a case in point.
Kerber wins the match 2-1 in sets: 6-4, 5-7, 6-4!
Third set: Osaka 4-6 Kerber* (*denotes server): Can Kerber hold her serve? She forces an error for 15-0. Then Osaka gets a lucky net cord winner. Next comes another Osaka error, as she hits low into the net. Then Kerber is handed two match points by another netted shot. And another! Osaka, with a winner in her grasp, smashes it again into the net.
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Third set: *Osaka 4-5 Kerber (*denotes server): Osaka’s turn to look nervous, as she concedes the first point. Kerber challenges a call, and gets a point replayed, but Osaka wins the next one in any case. Kerber keeps challenging calls, and gets the next one wrong. And then a third one. Which she wins for 30-30. Osaka serves as 173mph to go to 40-30 but is then caught out and slips. Deuce. Kerber’s shot is out so Osaka has an advantage, and she serves out.
Third set: Osaka 3-5* Kerber (*denotes server): Kerber needs to hold serve, which has been beyond her for too much of this match. Osaka swiftly makes it to 15-40 then misses her first chance, and then her second. Kerber holds, and then grinds out two points at deuce. Osaka must serve to save herself.
Third set: Osaka* 3-4 Kerber (*denotes server): They keep missing big chances. Kerber is presented with a tap-in but misses it to go 15-0 down. Osaka is still very ragged. After both had made mistakes on 40-15, Osaka’s overhead attempt is woeful. It goes to deuce after a double fault. Kerber gets a break point, too. And claims it, wow. She has been hanging on so grimly.
Third set: Osaka 3-3 Kerber* (*denotes server): Tiredness creeping in for both, with Osaka going for winners early as a means to conserve energy. Kerber concedes two double faults but battles her way to 40-30. Osaka misses the winner she required for deuce.
Third set: Osaka* 3-2 Kerber (*denotes server): This feels like it will go the full distance and beyond. Kerber’s resistance is yet to be broken and Osaka’s radar has been too unreliable. She keeps at it on her serve, though, which Kerber is struggling to pick but fighting gamely on. It goes to 30-30 before a howitzer from Osaka pings it 40-30. Then Kerber keeps at it for deuce. Osakas, though, nudges ahead by holding her serve.
Third set: Osaka 2-2 Kerber* (*denotes server): Osaka has a bounce in her step now, while Kerber seems a little woebegone. Defeat is not an option for either here. She begins with a double fault, but then makes Osaka chase down in vain. 15-15. Osaka, though, finds her range, with a fine winner. Then come two catastrophic misses before a wondrous shot to the corner of the corner has Kerber scrabbling. Osaka is wild on the first deuce, but then Kerber nets in error. Second deuce, Osaka hits a low, thrashing backhand winner for advantage, but misses her winner for a break. Third deuce, then, and Osaka rages as she goes far too long when the court had opened for her. Fourth deuce, though, as Osaka bullies her way back. Then, another miss. Osaka is getting angry with herself. She makes a mess again, and Kerber holds.
Third set: Osaka* 2-1 Kerber (*denotes server): Osaka is starting to miss again - her shot on the first point was wild - but her serve is ferocious. She also slices Kerber repeatedly, a change of pace that catches out her opponent. Next comes the power to go to 40-15, and then Kerber nets as the final set stays on serve.
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Third set: Osaka 1-1 Kerber* (*denotes server): Kerber’s best chance is to tempt Osaka into going for broke. She is still rash. Kerber negotiates her way through this game when she tempts Osaka into a failed winner that hits the net.
Third set: Osaka* 1-0 Kerber (*denotes server): A wild opening shot from Kerber, who is entitled to be demoralised, having served for the match and been broken to love. Osaka has all the energy, but is still struggling for precision. A chance for a winner is blown and the game goes back to 30-15. The next rally takes it to 40-15. And then a whipped forehand winner from the baseline takes the match. Osaka with the momentum, four games in a row now.
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Osaka levels the match at 1-1 in sets!
Second set: Kerber* 5-7 Osaka (*denotes server): Kerber has to save herself here. Osaka is not giving this one up too easily. And Kerber begins with a wayward attempted winner and a poor drop shot. A good serve makes her back to 15-30, and then more doggedness for 30-30. Osaka moves to set point with a thrashing backhand winner. Kerber cannot hold her off and the final set approaches.
Second set: Kerber 5-6 Osaka* (*denotes server): Neither player can hold their serve, which makes for a fine contest but Osaka is trying her best to do so here. She races to 40-0 and then game.
Second set: Kerber* 5-5 Osaka (*denotes server): Osaka still has some dog in this fight, and fires her way to 30-0 and then 40-0. Kerber misses her first serve on the first break point but recovered to win it. Despite Kerber making it back to 30-40, she is hunted down by her opponent and it is level again.
Second set: Kerber 5-4 Osaka* (*denotes server): Osaka continuing to struggle on her serve, and it’s quickly 0-30. It goes to 40-0 with a great piece of clutch play from Kerber, who booms a winner across the court. Three break points and then a double fault. Oh dear. Kerber will serve for the match.
Second set: Kerber* 4-4 Osaka (*denotes server): Osaka’s coach is on, and telling her to step in on the Kerber second serve, using an iPad to do so. Modern technology, eh? Kerber makes it to 40-0 with ease, and then holds to love. Thanks a lot, Coach.
Second set: Kerber 3-4 Osaka* (*denotes server): Kerber makes a great challenge to get the first point replayed; her shot was just on the line. An early advantage gained, perhaps. Osaka seems somewhat distracted and a little glum. Her serve is still off and she misses a big chance to go to 40-30. In turn, Kerber goes long to leave it at 40-30 and then misses another winner.
Second set: Kerber* 3-3 Osaka (*denotes server): A great winner from deep in the wilds makes it 30-0 to Kerber. That swiftly goes to 40-0 and she claims the game to love.
Second set: Kerber 2-3 Osaka* (*denotes server): Osaka wanted to challenge a point but gave up on it. It was not a good decision. She goes almost instantly 30-0 down and then goes to break point down at 15-40. Then she concedes the game and the break with a wild swing.
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Second set: Kerber* 1-3 Osaka (*denotes server): Kerber again slow on her serve despite gaining that foothold in this set. She also gets excited on a forehand winner and misses her target to go 30-15 down, and then concedes another break point. She gets back to deuce with some typical defensive doughtiness, but then Osaka forces another break point which she claims.
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Second set: Kerber 1-2 Osaka* (*denotes server): Having found her feet, Osaka then loses her step again. She goes down to 15-30, and the serve has gone ragged. Her power wins her way back to 30-30 and Kerber again seems tired. A weary drop shot - she is struggling with these - fails. Kerber drills the balls down the line for deuce and then forces a break point which is conceded when Osaka hits the net.
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Second set: Kerber* 0-2 Osaka (*denotes server): Kerber flagging a little? Or her opponent finding her game. Osaka forces her to 30-0 with some powerful hitting. And then again for break point. Osaka takes the game having sat deep in the court to receive serve.
Second set: Kerber 0-1 Osaka* (*denotes server): Osaka didn’t get to put that first set record to the test, now for a rescue job. The serve is again off-beam in the early stages though Kerber grants some grace with a missed winner and then a shot into the top of the net. An ace sees the game out.
Kerber claims the first set 6-4!
First set: Kerber* 6-4 Osaka (*denotes server): Kerber begins with a double fault and is then sent all over the court to go 3-0 down. Osaka chases down another drop shot to claim two break points. Kerber misses her first serve but then gets the luck of a let court. Osaka is walking right into the court on Kerber’s serve but is pegged back to deuce. Osaka hits a backhand winner for a third break point but gives that up with a failed forehand. Her next return of serve is excellent for a fourth break point. Kerber holds her nerve for yet another deuce, then moves to set point with a smashed forehand. The serve gives Osaka no chance.
First set: Kerber 5-4 Osaka* (*denotes server): Osaka comes out fighting, really throwing the racquet at it. She is beaten well for 15-0 but then hits a winner on the next. On her second serve for the third point, she smashes into the net. Her speed of foot is revealed by chasing down a drop shot to equalise at 30-30. Kerber applauds that and then makes an unforced error on the next for 40-30. And then another. Osaka lives on. Kerber must serve for the set.
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First set: Kerber* 5-3 Osaka (*denotes server): A lucky winner off the let court opens Kerber’s defence of her serve. Kerber then hits an ace for 40-0 for the first ace of the tournament. Osaka challenged it but was way off beam. She recovers from that reverse by rattling back to 30-40. Kerber looks nervous on her serve again, but Osaka’s overhit shot grants her the game.
First set: Kerber 4-3 Osaka* (*denotes server): Kerber fancies her chances on Osaka’s serve and runs her close, though the Japanese player does hit an ace to go 30-15 up. Then controls her opponent to go 40-15 up. Osaka then misses a glaring chance to punch a volley down the line and gets caught in two minds. Her shot hits the net.
First set: Kerber* 4-2 Osaka (*denotes server): Kerber even more unsure of her serve than Osaka? It looks that way. Osaka with a pair of fine returns, but is pegged back to 30-30. A booming winner from Kerber for 40-30 but pegged back to deuce with a winner that wrong-footed her. Another booming winner down the line to go to game point. Then Osaka, wearily, smashes her shot wide and Kerber claims the game.
First set: Kerber 3-2 Osaka* (*denotes server): That was a long game. Osaka still lacking in precision but she manages to overturn a decision that went against an early ace, the first of the match. Then she soon hits another for 40-15. Kerber continues to grind her into difficulties to go to 30-40 and then deuce. Osaka then utterly skews the shot to grant a break point, before going back to deuce with an angled volley at the net. A heck of baseline rally results in another error and another break. Osaka, much the more powerful, then forces another deuce. Then a smash and an ace wins it for the US Open champ.
First set: Kerber* 3-1 Osaka (*denotes server): A hold, at last. It goes without saying that it is very hot out there; both players drenched in perspiration. Kerber starts well with her serve, making her way to 30-0 but misses her winner on the next. Osaka long on the next, but forces an error on to 40-30.
First set: Kerber 2-1 Osaka* (*denotes server): It takes until the second point of this game for one of them to win a point on their serve - the tenth overall. Osaka’s radar is off and she goes for a big winner that drifts out at 15-30. At last, a decent serve for 30-30, and then Kerber is made to work and loses for 40-30. Osaka repeatedly wild, and her shot to win the game slices wide. She does the same at deuce twice over and then clatters into the net for the third break.
First set: Kerber* 1-1 Osaka (*denotes server): Two breaks to love! Osaka begins with some decent returns of service of her own, quickly firing herself to 0-30. And then 0-40. And then another break.
First set: Kerber 1-0 Osaka* (*denotes server): Early break! The start of the match was somewhat delayed after Osaka took a comfort break before it had even started. Her first serve is tentative and she loses the subsequent rally after missing it. The same is repeated for her second. And the third, which results in a break to love. When she clatters a forehand into the net and then out of play, Kerber claims the game.
Interesting choice to receive serve from Kerber, who won the toss, though probably owes something to service not being her strongest suit.
The players are here. Osaka takes to the court with mascot in hand and Kerber does the same soon after. It’s a battle of a 30-year-old and a 21-year-old with the Japanese player the junior partner. OK, time to knock up.
Over in Singapore, the arena PA is giving it big licks as we await the two players. One stat to bear in mind: Osaka has won the last 56 matches in which she won the first set. So watch out for a fast start. Kerber meanwhile, has left her best form at Wimbledon; she hasn’t got past the third round in any tournament since then. It’s fair to say she favours the quicker surface.
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Preamble
A clash of Wimbledon and US Open champions is definitely worth a watch, with an indoor environment perhaps neutralising their strengths on grass and hard court respectively. It was on the way to victory at SW19 that Kerber enjoyed the last of her 3 wins over the Japanese player in the last 32. Osaka has won just once in four attempts but that came at last year’s US Open. Kerber, the World No.2, is attempting to address a losing streak, having been beaten by Kiki Bertens at these championships in Singapore, and Shuai Zhang in the last 16 at Beijing. Osaka is on a similar streak, having lost to Sloane Stephens here and Anastasija Sevastova in Beijing. Both players need a win, or else they will not be reaching the semis.
