Top seed and world number one, Angelique Kerber was up against Kristina Mladenovic in the second round at the Wuhan Open. Fresh off her US Open win, the German was hoping to kick-start her Asian swing with a win against a player she has never lost to. Mladenovic though had other ideas storming back to take the first set in a tiebreak. However, Kerber came right back into the match sealing the second set in commanding fashion. And the Frenchwoman was eventually undone by an early break in the third, allow Kerber to seal a 6-7(4), 6-1, 6-4 victory.
Mladenovic fights back to take the first set
The world number one got off to a perfect start setting up a break point on the Mladenovic serve and converting brilliantly after some patient build up in a long rally. Mladenovic almost broke back but Kerber hung on for a 2-0 lead. That lead, however, did not last long as the Frenchwoman capitalized on some poor serving from the German to break back for 2-2.
Mladenovic though had troubles with her first serves as Kerber always looked to pounce on them. The German kept up the pressure and broke once more before consolidating for a 4-2 lead. Just when the set looked to be slipping away from the Frenchwoman, Mladenovic stepped up her game to draw level again for 4-4. Nosing ahead for the first time in the set after a comfortable hold for 5-4, it was her turn to pile the pressure on Kerber’s serve. The world number one almost buckled, sending a double fault to hand Mladenovic double set points. However, the Frenchwoman could not take advantage as Kerber remained calm to hang on for 5-5.
The tight match then headed to a tiebreak with Mladenovic drawing first blood to take a 4-2 lead. Despite the German’s efforts to fight back, the Frenchwoman held on to her lead before earning set points with a sumptuous forehand winner down the line. And on her second attempt, she converted to take the first set.
Kerber bounces back strongly
Kerber started off the second set with a good hold and was all over the Mladenovic serve looking to attack. The German was eventually rewarded with a break as the Frenchwoman struggled. Despite being a break down, Mladenovic did her part to hold serve. However, Kerber was playing with more authority and the Frenchwoman could not find a breakthrough. The German was pulling away and she opened up a double break lead to go 5-1 up. There was no way back for the Frenchwoman as the world number one grabbed the second set to force a decider.
Early break hands Kerber the initiative
The deciding set was as close as it could get. Mladenovic who served to start the set had a very poor game and was broken to love. The Frenchwoman threatened going up 30-0 on Kerber’s serve, but the German shrugged off the pressure to build a 2-0 lead.
As the set progressed, Mladenovic kept herself within touch of Kerber. With Kerber having tightening up her serve and finding her strokes, Mladenovic found it difficult to make any sort of headway on the German’s serve. All the running was also taking a toll on the Frenchwoman. The world number one kept her lead and eventually the early break proved vital as Kerber wrapped up the victory on her serve.