US Open 2017: Angelique Kerber knocked out by Naomi Osaka
Last updated on .From the section Tennis
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| Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Dates: 28 Aug-10 Sept |
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Defending champion Angelique Kerber was knocked out in round one of the US Open by Japanese teenager Naomi Osaka.
The German sixth seed was overpowered by the 19-year-old world number 45, who won 6-3 6-1 under the roof in Arthur Ashe Stadium at Flushing Meadows.
It continues a disappointing year for 29-year-old Kerber, who has not won a title since her victory in New York 12 months ago.
"I'm still the same player and the same person," she said.
"I know that I will not be giving up like this. So for me, I will try to forget the match as soon as possible and look forward again."
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Two-time Grand Slam champion Kerber struggled badly with her second serve, winning only 37% of points behind it.
Osaka hit 22 winners to Kerber's nine, while the German also made 23 unforced errors in an erratic display.
"She just goes for it," said Kerber. "I think she took the chances and she played a very good match. But for me it was for sure not the best day and not the best match."
Osaka, who led Madison Keys 5-1 in the final set in round three of last year's US Open before losing, said: "It means a lot, especially since last time I was here.
"This court has not given me fond memories but hopefully this overtakes that.
"When it was 4-1 today I was thinking, 'I really hope I don't do what I did last year' and that let me focus a lot."
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You wouldn't be surprised if Sharapova went and won the whole tournament.
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You have to hope that the journalists will keep asking her about her health and what she is using to treat her serious medical condition, now that Mildronate / Meldonium is banned...
It looks like the wild card doper Sharapova back from her ban could have a run. I really think the umpires need to crack down hard on all the grunting and screaming. Sharapova can be heard in Manhattan.
'Variety and diversity'?
Every player plays almost exactly the same as everyone else. Serve, get behind the baseline, hit the forehand, then the two handed backhand, repeat and repeat again.
She would get beaten 6-0 6-0 by any of the greats of the last 20 years Someone in the realms of WTA need too look at the coaching and management of the women's game. Befoer it dies forever
and she freely admits she's taken it since 2006
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Just didn't declare it.
I thought one of the Meldonium benefits was to aid recovery?
And yes, I agree Sharapova is too noisy, and also Meldonium is not going to help her tennis skills
...just recover faster between matches
On topic, Kerber should not forget this match, but put serious work into fixing what goes wrong.
Kerber was not the top seed! She was seeded 6. Top seed Pliskova is through!
She was voted WTA newcomer of the year in 2016. She's going to start kicking some pretty butts.
On form and when fit she must be the favourite along with the young lady from Spain who won Wimbledon.
Kerber is on a serious decline, and if she doesn't sort it out soon, she may never do.