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Angelique Kerber at the Billie Jean King Cup
Photo:
IMAGO/Paul Zimmer
Under the cheers and the drumbeats of the Kazakh fans, Angelique Kerber left the court disappointed: After two individual defeats in the qualifying game in Nur-Sultan, the German tennis women are fighting against relegation in the Billie Jean King Cup.
As a top German player, the slightly favored Kerber lost to Julia Putinzewa after almost two hours 6: 3, 3: 6, 2: 6.
Laura Siegemund had a 0: 6, 1: 6 duel with the world number 19.
Elena Rybakina no chance.
Due to the 0:2 deficit, the selection of the German Tennis Association has to win both singles and the final doubles on Saturday in order to still reach the finals from November 8th to 13th.
Otherwise, the most important team competition in women's tennis, which used to be called the Fed Cup, is on 11./12.
November against relegation from the group of top teams.
After a nervous start on both sides, Kerber won the first set without any major problems.
In the second round, the error rate for the 34-year-old increased, Putinzewa gained sovereignty and at times secured five games in a row.
In the last set, Kerber was quickly 0:3 behind, fought and celebrated winning the first game with a loud scream.
But there was no emotional turnaround, after a backhand out the 0:1 was perfect.
A total of 48 unforced errors were an expression of the current lack of security.
After their pre-season preparations, which were affected by a corona infection, Kerber is far from top form.
The 2018 Wimbledon winner lost her opening game at the Australian Open and two other tournaments, and the only two wins of the season so far have been in Indian Wells.
On Saturday, in the possible top duel with Rybakina, success is now a must in order to still have the very small chance of progressing.
In Nur-Sultan the German team has to do without Andrea Petkovic as regular number two due to injury.
Team captain Rainer Schüttler put his trust in Siegemund, who had been absent for a long time after knee surgery last August.
Against Rybakina, fourth at the Olympics, the 34-year-old made four double mistakes in the first round alone. Siegemund had to admit defeat after only 65 minutes, despite a brief struggle at the beginning of the second set.
Germany has won the women's team competition twice (1987 and 1992).
Eight years ago, the team was in the final (1: 3 in the Czech Republic), even then with Kerber in first place.
Last year, for the first time, a final tournament was held for the twelve best teams.
ara/dpa
