Twice defending champion Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki was a match away from winning her third straight Copenhagen title, the tournament fans practically considered hers, but the trophy at the event’s third edition went into the German hands as Angelique Kerber defeated the home favorite 6-4 6-4. In each set Wozniacki made two breaks, but Kerber made three.
To win the title at the 2012 e-Boks Open the second-seeded Kerber defeated Stephanie Foretz Gacon, Anne Keothavong, sixth seed Mona Barthel in the quarters, third seed Jelena Jankovic in the semis, and finally the top-seeded Wozniacki.
Kerber finished last season ranked No.32, but now she’s No.15 with two titles to her name (her first WTA title is Paris 2012). (photo: © Neal Trousdale)
Kerber and Errani proved that they belong in the top tier of players with their wins this week. Both players beat stronger competitors than did last week’s winner.
The other winners who weren’t mentioned were 41 year old Kimiko Date-Krumm and her doubles partner, Rika Fujiwara. It was a wonderful achievement for a player when considering her comrades are coaching, announcing and being elected to the hall of fame.
At least, some “justice”, in the end… But, let me add that it pertains only to the last two rounds: the semis and the final. Before that, it was the “losers”, Urszula Radwańska, Stéphanie Foretz Gacon, Anne Keothavong and Mona Barthel who made this old tennis-lover’s heart warm. (Just a way of adding some life to the bookkeeping – for what it’s worth.)
JohnnyB, your comment seems to have arrived while I’ve been typing mine, so I’ll add that I’m so glad you mentioned the other three winners, regularly missed by the “spotlights”. And here’s to Kimiko: may you play well for at least another 20 years, in the face of the reigning pop-tennis-culture! (Wish we’d all love tennis more for the game and the humane aspect of it.)
I was pretty impressed with Kerber, but truth to be told, I expected something like that, she’s strong, consistent and she already proved (i.e. in Paris) that she’s a worthy opponent. She needs to work a little bit on precision – she missed a few easy shots, but she’s playing well and she continue to improve. Wozniacki on the other hand was a litlle bit disappointing, obviously she had some good moments, she put up some fight, but in the end it wasn’t what you really expect from a top 10 player.
Now that Kerber has won the Woz open this should cement her as one of the top players of 2012. Sometimes she plays with no focus and needs motivation (like a bad line call to get her re-focused). With Li Na and Caroline loosing ranking point like a stock market plunge, I can’t wait to see Kerber back in action soon.
Unfortunate result for Woz but Kerber really deserved the result. Women’s tennis is really going from strength to strength.
I think that this match was in Wozniacki’s hands and she let it slip. The injury of her ankle affected her focus in the second set but she could have still turned it around. Kerber,on the other hand, played really well but will she continue with such a form? If she will manage that I am pretty sure she will make it to top ten.