Defending champion Angelique Kerber tumbled out of Wimbledon in disappointing fashion as she lost 2-6 6-2 6-1 to Lauren Davis.
It was an awful performance by the German. She made 31 unforced errors – a huge number for her – and won just 45% of all points played on her serve. In addition, the World No.5 only hit 13 winners.
At the other end, the heavily-taped-up American improved as the match went on. She hit eight winners and made 19 unforced errors during a first set when she was broken four times, but then struck more than double the number of winners (20) in the second set as she broke Kerber three times to level the match.
Davis, 25, dominated the decider. She cut down on unforced errors and held her serve more easily. This enabled her to attack Kerber’s serve and she did this to great effect by breaking the German three times.
The final break occurred in a lengthy game which proved to be the last of the match. Davis saved game point with a forehand down the line. She then hit a backhand winner to earn her first match point.
Kerber saved it by outlasting the American in a long rally. She then earned two more game points, but she was too passive on the first one and Davis hit a winner, and she made an error on the second one. It was typical of the match.
With the score at deuce again, the German was still in the match. But that did not last long, as the defending champion made two more unforced errors to hand a famous victory to her opponent.
Davis relishes win over Kerber
“This means everything to me,” Davis said in her post-match interview. “This is what I work for. It was a really tough match and I was a bit nervous.”
She continued, “In the first set I slid and hurt my foot. I thought, ‘Oh God, worst timing’. But I’m so happy that I won. It’s almost surreal.”
The American has endured a tough time in the last 12 months. She plummeted to World No.264 last October, but she battled her way up to a high-enough ranking to compete in Wimbledon qualifying.
Davis lost in the third round in Roehampton to Kristie Ahn. However, a few withdrawals enabled her to take her place in the Ladies Singles’ Draw as a lucky loser. Now she will face Carla Suarez-Navarro in the last 32.
“Dropping that much in the rankings has made this all the more fulfilling,” Davis said. “(My belief) is always there. I definitely have some doubts but deep down I know I can do it.”
