Another former champion is out of the 2024 Australian Open, after Angelique Kerber lost her opening round at the event.
The 2024 Australian Open hasn't been very nice to former champions so far. 2020 winner, Sofia Kenin drew world no. 1 Iga Swiatek in the first round, and the American lost the match despite a spirited effort.
2019 and 2021 champion, Naomi Osaka lost in straight sets to Caroline Garcia, and the 2014 men's champion, Stan Wawrinka, also lost in his first round after hard-fought five sets.
2016 champion Kerber, took on 2022 finalist, Danielle Collins, in what was one of the first-round blockbusters at the season's first Grand Slam tournament.
In the opening set, Collins proved to be in better form, using her chances efficiently and stepping up when it mattered. As a result, she was able to capitalize on break points in every game she had one, resulting in a 6-2 opening set win.
However, former world no. 1 didn't travel to Melbourne to give up after one lost set. In the second set, she showed why she has won three Grand Slams in her career, coming back from 2-3, 15-40, to win the set 6-3 and force a decider.
But in the third set, the German player struggled on her serve. She faced break points in each of her serving games and on three out of four occasions, she also lost her serve.
Since Kerber was unable to threaten Collins' serve the same way, it was the American who cruised towards a three-set victory, beating the German 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 to set up a second-round clash with the world no. 1, Iga Swiatek.
Danielle Collins vs Angelique Kerber Match Stats:
| Danielle Collins | Angelique Kerber | |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Aces | 0 |
| 6 | Double Faults | 2 |
| 62% | First Serve % | 70% |
| 72% (36/50) | Points Won After First Serve % | 53% (31/59) |
| 29% (9/31) | Points Won After Second Serve % | 32% (8/25) |
| 37% (7/19) | Break Point Conversion | 40% (4/10) |
| 46 | Winners | 13 |
| 41 | Unforced Errors | 22 |
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