Angelique Kerber came to her first match at the WTA Championships and her first match as a Top 5 player as the only player at the tournament who has defeated Serena Williams this year and the sole loss in Serena’s 27 previous matches was at the hands of Kerber. But in today’s Red Group match, Serena earned a good old revenge, winning nine of 11 games from 3-all in the first set for a 6-4 6-1 victory. Serena’s threatening first serve was at weak 44% and she hit just three aces, but at the net she won 17 of 20 points.
Serena’s 2012 results have been mind-blowing. She’s won 44 of her last 46 matches and her last 15 against Top 5 players. Not to mention her this year’s titles: Charleston, Madrid, Wimbledon, Stanford, Olympics and US Open – all Premier-level or higher. She’s practically unstoppable and the fact that she hadn’t played since the US Open does not put her even slightly on the unprepared side.
Serena opens tomorrow’s action in Istanbul, against Li Na. Kerber has a day off. (photo: © Neal Trousdale)
