Any further defeat would mean the end of the final round (November 8th to 13th) of the team competition, formerly known as the Fed Cup, for the German tennis team. Instead, there is a risk of a nail-biter in the relegation round to remain among the top teams (November 11/12).
Siegemund without a chance against Rybakina
Siegemund had recently collected two titles and self-confidence in doubles. After a long knee injury, however, she lacks match practice, which was shown in the match against Kazakh number one Rybakina. After the cancellation of Andrea Petkovic (Darmstadt), Jule Niemeier (Dortmund) and Anna-Lena Friedsam (Neuwied) are still in the German squad.
On Saturday there are two more singles and one double, the first match is expected to be played by Kerber and Rybakina.
Kerber with a nervous game – despite winning the first set
For Kerber, the weak spring continues after their preparation, which was impaired by Corona. Her only two wins of the season come at Indian Wells. Both Australian Openin Qatar and Miami it was over after the first match for the three-time game Grand Slam-winner. After a good start and almost two hours of play on the sand she didn’t like, she conceded her first defeat in the third meeting against Putintseva.
After a nervous start with a total of three breaks on both sides, Kerber found her security and pulled away 5-1. Putinzewa hit her racket visibly frustrated in the face of several slight mistakes, Kerber stayed cool and used her second set ball.
But in the second round the error rate increased for the 34-year-old, Putinzewa gained sovereignty and secured five games in a row to make it 5-1. Team captain Rainer Schüttler talked calmly to Kerber, but after five set balls were saved, the German number one had to accept the equaliser.
And even in the decisive round she didn’t come into play at first and was quickly 0:3 behind. Kerber fought and celebrated winning the first game with a loud scream. But there was no emotional turnaround, after a backhand error the 0:1 was perfect.
Source: dpa