Nur-Sultan (dpa) – After the next disappointment for Angelique Kerber, the German tennis women are threatened with the first relegation in the most important team competition in ten years.
Even with a final effort, the best German player could not avert the defeat in the Billie Jean King Cup in Kazakhstan and was very frustrated. “In the end, of course, it’s incredibly disappointing that I didn’t manage to get the point and kept up the chance of being able to play the fourth individual,” said Kerber after the 6: 4, 3: 6, 5: 7 in the top singles against Jelena Rybakina in Nur-Sultan.
The game was decided when the score was 0:3, the 6:2, 3:6, 10:6 victory of Anna-Lena Friedsam and Jule Niemeier in the final doubles match against Anna Danilina and Schibek Kulambajeva had no sporting significance. Due to the defeat, it is now about the title at the finals on 11./12. November against relegation. Most recently, in 2013, Kerber & Co. did not play in the top group of the most important women’s team competition, which was then called the Fed Cup.
“Disappointing for everyone”
“It’s a shame that Angie lost. It was actually a very, very good match from both sides,” said team captain Rainer Schüttler. “Obviously it’s disappointing for everyone that we didn’t win the game here.”
As in the 6: 3, 3: 6, 2: 6 against Julia Putinzewa on Friday, Kerber also showed in the first set against the world number 19. Rybakina a focused performance. On the sand surface, which the 34-year-old didn’t like as much, her Kazakh opponent came into play better and better and confidently secured the second set.
In the third round, Kerber debated with the referee at times after a tight decision, a little later the three-time Grand Slam winner conceded the break to 2: 3 with a double fault. Rybakina didn’t act flawlessly either, Kerber took a 5-3 lead. However, the best German tennis player missed this great opportunity and had to admit defeat after 2:05 hours.
Kerber: “Really gave everything”
“I can’t blame myself: I really put my heart on the pitch, fought to the end, really gave everything,” said Kerber. “You could see the willingness that I flew to Kazakhstan even though the tournament schedule was not perfect, that I really love playing for my country, for Germany.”
Next week is the WTA tournament in Stuttgart for Kerber. After preparing for the season, which was affected by a corona infection, she is still looking for top form. At the Australian Open and two other tournaments, Kerber lost in their opening games, and Indian Wells has achieved the only two wins of the season so far.
In addition to Kerber, Laura Siegemund also lost her opening singles on Friday and had no chance in the 0: 6, 1: 6 against Rybakina.