SM
Bayern vs. Augsburg: 19 hrs 55 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Kerber, Barty through at Wimbledon but Muguruza crashes out

:Headline: Kerber, Barty through at Wimbledon but Muguruza crashes out: ID:363602: from db_amp
Britain's Johanna Konta was another winner on day two at Wimbledon.

Angelique Kerber started the defence of her Wimbledon title with a comfortable victory over Tatjana Maria.

Kicking off the action on Centre Court on day two, the German eased to a 6-4 6-3 win over her compatriot in front of the watching Duchess of Cambridge in the Royal Box.

Despite not winning a tournament since beating Serena Williams in the final at SW19 last year, Kerber has shown some good recent form, including reaching the final in Eastbourne last week.

And the 31-year-old, who lost her only previous meeting with Maria, avoided becoming the first ladies' champion to be defeated in the first round the following year since Steffi Graf in 1994.

Kerber said: "I was really nervous, to be honest, because of course going out there as the defending champion, it was really special.

"Walking on the Centre Court, playing there again, I mean, a lot of emotions, a lot of memories.

"But I was enjoying this. I was really enjoying the match. I was enjoying the points and the crowd. It was a really nice match, but of course with a lot of nerves at the beginning."

World number one Ashleigh Barty eased into the second round courtesy of a 6-4 6-2 victory over Saisai Zheng.

Ashleigh Barty is the world number one (Adam Davy/PA)

The Australian, who won this year's French Open, has fond memories of the All England Club after winning the girls' singles title in 2011.

She is one of the favourites to make it back-to-back grand slams here and laid down an early marker on Court One.

Barty said: "Yeah, I think a very tricky opponent to start off with. I am very happy with the way we were able to work our way into the match.

"It took some time to adjust to conditions and a different court. It's a beautiful court to play on."

British number one Johanna Konta battled into the second round with a 7-5 6-2 victory over Romanian qualifier Ana Bogdan.

“I was really nervous, to be honest, because of course going out there as the defending champion, it was really special”
- Angelique Kerber

She said: "It was very tough out there. I don't think either of us felt quite comfortable, we were both trying to find our feet.

"First rounds are never easy and I'm really pleased to have competed through. So far in the season I feel like I'm building in every match I'm playing."

Former champion Garbine Muguruza was the victim of a big shock as she was beaten in straight sets by Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia.

The 2015 winner and former world number one, who has fallen down the rankings in the last two years, was beaten 6-4 6-4.

Ex-US Open champion Sloane Stephens won her first match at the All England Club since 2016, beating Timea Bacsinszky 6-2 6-4 on Court 2.

amp_article__363602 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-07-02 16:30:46:
html db last update - 2019-07-02 16:30:46 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Angelique Kerber

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .