Angelique KERBER makes triumphant return with victory over Petra MARTIC at Indian Wells

Angelique Kerber secured her first victory since the 2022 Wimbledon, defeating Petra Martic 6-3, 6-4. The former world No. 1 participated in her third tournament of the season, following consecutive first-round exits at the Australian Open and Linz Open. The German had been absent from the WTA Tour since July 2022 due to her pregnancy.

The 3-times Grand Slam champion boasts a 23-12 record at the Tennis Paradise, including semifinals in 2012 and 2013, as well as the 2019 final, where she fell to Bianca Andreescu.

In the first set, Kerber took an early lead, securing a break to go up 2-0. However, her opponent quickly recovered the break to level the score at 2-2. Kerber then secured another break in a contested sixth game, and with her service, she moved ahead 5-2. The former world No. 1 did not falter with her serve and closed the set 6-3.

Kerber displayed an impressive performance with her service, landing 74% of her first serves and winning 70% of them, compared to Martic's 44% of first serves, winning 67%.

The second set also favored Kerber from the start, securing a break in the opening game. Although Martic quickly responded with a break back, the match remained evenly contested until 2-2, where Kerber secured the decisive break. This was enough for her to close the match from her service, sealing the victory in an hour and 31 minutes with a score of 6-3, 6-4.

The former world No. 1 faces a tough challenge in the second round against the 10th seed Jelena Ostapenko, who had a bye in the first round.