Kerber Goes on the Offense in Sydney, by Matt Cronin

Written by: Staff on 9th January 2014

Kerber Goes on the Offense in Sydney, by Matt Cronin

epa04005004 Angelique Kerber of Germany plays a shot during her match against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane Jan. 1, 2014. EPA/DAVE HUNT AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT |

FROM THE APIA INTERNATIONAL SYDNEY – Angelique Kerber has been a very good, but not great player since 2011, when she came out of nowhere and reached the US Open semifinals. After that, and a very solid 2012, it appeared that lefthander really did have Grand Slam winning potential. She is naturally strong, is a terrific mover and is a standout defensive player. She has good but not great serve, but that is not uncommon on the WTA tour. She has world class two-handed backhand that she can slap to the corner. But her forehand has lacked some oomph, as has her return. Playing standout defense propelled her into the year-end top 5 in 2012, but her lack of improvement in 2013 saw her drop to the No.9 ranking, which she is now.Pro tennis is not all about aggression, but if you look at the WTA’s top three of Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova, it does require some high octane offense.That is what Kerber knew she had to bring to the table this year and it was that attitude and style that saw he blitz the powerful teenager Madison Keys 6-4, 6-2 in the Brisbane semis.“I was working very hard in my off‑season and trying to play more aggressive in my practice sessions,” Kerber said. “I think right now I try to make it in my matches, so it’s good I have like very good matches also before Melbourne. I’m feeling good, and I try to going for my shots. That’s also what I improve in my game. I think that it’s good right now.”Much of a player’s willingness to go for her shots has to do with confidence, and a willingness to make mistakes and move on. On Thursday in Sydney, Kerber actually attacked Keys’ big serve and let loose with her forehand ,which looked much improved and dangerous. She still needs to put balls back in play, but she has to go for openings.“ I have [going back to defense] sometimes in my mind, but I try to not thinking about this,” she said. “I really try to focus then from point to point and not thinking about the past, and just trying to go then for my shots. Also when I make some mistakes not thinking about this too much. Going for my shots for the other point. Kerber will be the favorite going into the final against the Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova, who played an excellent match in upsetting Petra Kvitova, but even if the German goes down, she knows that she has to keep attempting to change her mentality. Not too many players can claim wins over Serena, Sharapova, Aga Radwanska and Li Na, but she can. She also played Azarenka very close they last time they faced off.That indicates that some day, the 25 year old will have a legitimate chance to win a major, if she takes her gloves off.“I think you need to play for sure aggressive to be in the top 5, because it’s not easy to play against them when you’re just a defensive player,” Kerber said. “So I try to mix it a little bit and improve my game like to be more aggressive.”

Topics: 10sballs.com, Angelique Kerber, Li Na, Madison Keys, Maria Sharapova, Petra Kvitova, Serena Williams, Tennis, Tennis News, Tsvetana Pironkova, US Open, Victoria Azarenka, Wta