Angelique Kerber overcame a spirited challenge from Ajla Tomljanovic to record her first win as a mother at the 2024 United Cup.
Going into the first match of the semifinal tie between Australia and Germany, both players obviously had the same goal - to win the match. However, the story behind that, was much different for both players.
While the Australian player wanted to regain her confidence by challenging the former WTA's world no. 1, and delight the home crowd, Kerber's goal was to win her first match back as a mother, as she lost all of her previous matches at the United Cup.
On the other hand, Tomljanovic already managed to win one match, and it was the most crucial match so far, as she sent her country into the semifinals of the team competition.
The start of the match seemed to be a bit nervous from both players, as the Australian initially lost her serve, but then won five consecutive games to serve for the match. However, in a set in which players had a total of 17 break points combined, she could not serve out the set despite having a set point.
She lost even her following service game, when serving for the set for the second set, but managed to step up on her return and break the German's serve again to win the opening set 6-4.
But Kerber really wanted her first victory as a mother, and she fought for it in the second set. The start was very close, with each player winning two games after exchanging breaks once.
Then, the three-time Grand Slam champion showed some vintage form, winning 16 of the following 18 rallies to dominate the remainder of the second set and win it 6-2, sending the match into the decider.
In the third set of the match, Kerber started perfectly, as she broke her opponent again, and at 2-0, she had another break point to go into a two-break lead. But that remained unused and within a few minutes, Tomljanovic had her chances.
The Australian used her break point in the eighth game of the decider and at 5-4, she was one game away from winning the match. But Kerber had different thoughts, she held her serve and broke her opponent to serve for the match at 6-5.
But if the home crowd already started putting their hope into Alex de Minaur, who will take on Alexander Zverev, in hope of saving their country, they were wrong as their player kept fighting.
Tomljanovic broke back and forced the tie-break in the deciding set, a fitting end to this high-stakes match. The tie-break was another thrilling spectacle, especially the rally at 3-3 which made every fan stand up from their chair.
At 5-3, Kerber was very close to victory, but she lost the following three rallies and it was the home crowd favourite who had the first match point of the match at 6-5 in the tie-break.
With de Minaur watching in the backstage, Tomljanovic had another match point at 7-6, but she threw away two returns to give her opponent the first match point and after another unforced error from her, Kerber won the match 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(7), which marks her first win as a mother.
If Alexander Zverev can beat Alex de Minaur in the men's singles match, Germany will take on Poland in the final of the 2024 United Cup, if the Australian wins, the mixed doubles match will decide.
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