The three-time Grand Slam winner from Kiel already served to win the match in the top singles on Saturday (April 16, 2022), but lost to Jelena Rybakina 6:4, 3:6, 5:7. Thus the duel against the Kazakhs was prematurely decided at the score of 0:3 in Nur-Sultan.
handed over leadership
On Good Friday, Kerber (34) failed in her first clay court match of the season against Julia Putinzewa (6: 3, 3: 6, 2: 6). Laura Siegemund (Metzingen/34) had no chance against Rybakina (0:6, 1:6). While Kazakhstan travels to the final of the top twelve teams (November 8th to 13th), the German team of captain Rainer Schüttler goes to the play-offs (November 11th/12th).
Kerber awarded against the world number 19. Rybakina took a 5-3 lead in the deciding set. After 2:05 hours she conceded another defeat in a season that has been messed up for her so far. In preparation she was slowed down by Corona, in the spring she only managed to win two victories in Indian Wells. It will continue for her next week at the home tournament in Stuttgart.
Last win was 30 years ago
Germany has twice won the women’s team competition, formerly known as the Fed Cup (1987 and 1992). The team was last in the final eight years ago (1:3 in the Czech Republic). In 2021 a final tournament was held for the first time. In Prague, Kerber and Co. were eliminated in the group phase. This year the decision about the title will take place without German participation.