Angelique Kerber shows Indian Wells gratitude by cruising past Kudermetova in R3

Angelique Kerber has reached the next round in Indian Wells. In her third round match, the German defeated the Russian Veronika Kudermetova in two sets.

The match unfolded in Stadium 2, a spacious venue that was only partially filled as the players walked onto the court. The sky, slightly overcast, set the stage for the encounter. Angelique Kerber, the German player, began her serve on a false note, falling behind 0-2 initially. However, she swiftly narrowed the gap to 1-2 with a love-game on her own serve.

Veronika Kudermetova, on the other hand, made quite some errors, allowing Kerber to capitalize and break back, leveling the score at 2-2. A little later, at that stage, the match saw a total of four breaks in six games, resulting in a balanced 3-3 score. Kerber’s strategic use of high and flat balls helped her secure a 4-3 advantage

At 5-4, Kudermetova faced the critical task of serving to stay in the set. Unfortunately, she sent a longline ball wide of the court, resulting in a break point and set point for Kerber. The ball landed just beyond Kerber’s baseline, granting Kerber the 6-4 set win

Kudermetova was able to break early in the second set with Kerber's help and gained a 1-2 game advantage. Again and again though, The Russian made unforced errors and a forehand ball flew long into the side court. Kerber broke back for 2-2. Once again, a forehand from her opponent flew off in the same way as before. The German let it slip to deuce, game point and break points several times. Kudermetova's racquet also landed roughly on the court in anger. Kerber managed to hold the game - 3-2.

Kudermetova secured an early break in the second set, aided by Kerber, and gained a 1-2 game advantage. However, the Russian player repeatedly made unforced errors, including a forehand that sailed long and landed outside the side court. Kerber responded by breaking back, leveling the score at 2-2.

Once again, Kudermetova’s forehand betrayed her, mirroring the previous mistake. Despite facing deuce, game points, and multiple break points, Kerber held her ground. In a moment of frustration, Kudermetova’s racket met the court with force. Ultimately, Kerber managed to secure the game, leading 3-2 in this intense battle on the tennis court!

The fourth ace of the match then saved Kudermetova from losing her serve, but Kerber was able to secure the break at 40-30. She now led 4-2 in the second set and seemed sailing. but her opponent broke back and reduced the deficit to 4-3. The longer the match went on, the better and longer the rallies became. After 4-all, the German was able to win a tight service game with an overhead smash and then immediately hit her first ace of the match to win the game and secure 5-4. Kudermetova now had to hold her serve to stay in the set and the match. She did so, especially on game point, when she managed to hit a beautiful two-handed backhand passing shot for 5-5. After that, however, Kerber had an easy service game to go back in the lead 6-5. The pressure was once again on Kudermetova. At 0:40, Kerber had 3 match points to advance to the round of 16 of the WTA 1000 in Indian Wells. She only needed the first and it was love game, set and match for Kerber.

In the match, Kudermetova found herself in a precarious situation, but her fourth ace came to the rescue, preventing her from losing her serve. However, Kerber swiftly capitalized, securing a break at 40-30. With a 4-2 lead in the second set, Kerber appeared to be sailing smoothly. Yet, her opponent fought back, narrowing the deficit to 4-3.

As the match progressed, the rallies intensified, growing longer and more competitive. At 4-all, the German player clinched a tight service game with an impressive overhead smash. In a pivotal moment, Kerber aced for the first time in the match, securing a 5-4 advantage.

Kudermetova faced the challenge of holding her serve to stay in the set and the match. She rose to the occasion, particularly on game point, executing a beautiful two-handed backhand passing shot to level the score at 5-5. However, Kerber responded with an easy service game, reclaiming the lead at 6-5.

The pressure mounted once again for Kudermetova. At 0:40, Kerber had three match points to advance to the round of 16 in the WTA 1000 Indian Wells. She needed only the first, securing her most important victory since her comeback after pregnancy and becoming a mother. 

In the round of 16, the German ace will face either Caroline Wozniacki from Denmark or Katie Volynets from the USA.

Angelique Kerber, the German tennis star, gained entry to the tournament through her protected ranking at No. 31. Today, she convincingly demonstrated that the system of protected rankings is robust and effective. I’m certain that her daughter, Liana Kerber, who celebrated her first birthday earlier this week, would wholeheartedly concur.