Angelique Kerber put on a stunning exhibition of grass court tennis to beat Simona Halep 6-4 6-3 at the Nature Valley International.
The German, 31, has always loved grass. She has made it to the semi-final stage or further in seven tournaments on the surface. And she her enjoyed three of the best weeks of her career this time last year when she made it to the semi-finals in Eastbourne and then won her first Wimbledon title.
Kerber’s success on the lawns looks set to continue for a long time. She dealt with everything Halep threw at her today and came up with a medley of outstanding winners – most of them on her lethal forehand side.
“It’s never easy to play Simona, but I played really well from the first point today, especially in important moments,” the German said.
“I was hitting the ball good, really deep, and moving well. It was quite a good match from my side.”
She continued, “I’m feeling good so far here. Every tournament is different. I’m focusing right now on my semi tomorrow and not thinking too much ahead.”
Kerber elaborated, “I know that when I am in the car to Wimbledon, a lot of emotions and memories will come. Wimbledon for me is something special, something magic. When I finish here, my whole focus and my heart will be there.”
The environment in Eastbourne suits Kerber’s personality. “It’s better to be here (this week). It’s a little bit quieter than Wimbledon right now, so I prefer to stay here a little bit longer.”
Kerber takes control
Kerber made a great start to the quarter-final. She attacked Halep’s serve and gained two breaks in the first five games to move 4-1 ahead.
As is typical of her character, the Romanian responded by immediately wrestling one of the breaks back. She then served better for the rest of the set to force the German to serve for it at 5-4, which she did.
Halep made a strong start to the second set. She went 40-15 up in the opening game after controlling the first four points.
Then Kerber turned the game on its head with four brilliant points. On the first, she flashed a forehand return past the Romanian. Then she dragged Halep around the court to force into a couple or errors and earn break point. Finally, she unleashed another forehand winner to seize the break.
The World No.7 looked shell-shocked for the next two games as the German won them both in the blink of an eye. Unsurprisingly, Halep called for her coach.
Halep makes Kerber work for the win
Whatever Daniel Dobre, it worked, as the 2018 French Open champion played a series of superb points to get herself back into the match.
First, Halep hit a return that landed on the baseline. Next, she manoeuvred Kerber around the court and put away a volley. Then the Romanian unfurled a delightful drop shot to earn a break point.
The German saved that one, and two more, before Halep procured another chance with a remarkable backhand winner that was achieved with hardly any backswing whatsoever. She then forced Kerber into an error to secure one of the breaks she needed.
The Romanian continued to play well for the rest of the match and there were some amazing rallies for the crowd to enjoy. However, the German came up with exactly the right shot time and again.
In game six, Kerber hit a lob, a forehand winner and a backhand winner. Then, in game seven, she hit two forehand winners. In game eight, she hit an extraordinary forehand winner around the net post. And in game nine, she bested Halep in an incredible rally to set herself up for yet another forehand winner.
Shortly after that rally was over, the match was too, as Halep succumbed to the German’s relentless pressure and surrendered her serve. When the final ball landed out, the crowd showed their appreciation for both players’ performances with loud cheering and rapturous. The match was a great advert for women’s tennis.
Halep reflects on her time in Eastbourne
“(Kerber) played really well today,” Halep said. “I didn’t play badly, but I missed a little bit too much on some points, important points, and I didn’t take my chances.”
“I was not patient enough because with her, you have to be a little bit more patient. She’s very strong on the baseline, and you have also to change something.”
She continued, “Also, in the second set, first game, I had 40-15 on my serve and I couldn’t take the game. But in my opinion, it was a good match.”
The Romanian is happy with her performances in Eastbourne, and she is pleased that her net play is getting sharper, but she knows there is still plenty of room for improvement.
“I would say my grass game is at 70%, but I’m getting better,” Halep said. “I changed some things during the match. I’m doing different things, which makes me happy.”
“I have one more match tomorrow, doubles, and then I go to Wimbledon. Expectations are pretty okay in my head, but I’m not putting pressure on myself. I will just take it match by match and see how good I can be on grass this year.”
