The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Battling Kerber admits to finding it tough at top
Angelique Kerber admits it has been tough at the top but the German is refusing to give up her No 1 status without a fight at Wimbledon.
She opened the second day’s play on Centre Court in a role traditionally allocated to the defending champion with Serena Williams, heavily pregnant, at home in the United States.
As the current rankings leader, and runner-up to Williams last year, Kerber deserved the opportunity, but it has been a tough season for a player who enjoyed a stellar 2016, and it was a tonic to come through her opener.
She had a comfortable enough start in beating Ecuadorian-born American Irina Falconi 6-4 6-4, and then outlined why holding the world-leading ranking was such a challenge.
Karolina Pliskova, Simona Halep and Caroline Wozniacki came to London with the chance of displacing her this fortnight.
“There is much more expectation, much more pressure, from me, from outside, from everything,” Kerber said. “You have many more things to do.
“I’m still enjoying it. Of course, there are things that are a little bit tough and hard to do, as well. But it was always a dream. I will always enjoy it, that I was one day the No 1 even like when I look back in five years.
“I think now I can say that it’s easier to get there than to stay there. Of course it’s tough to reach the No 1 place and also winning grand slams.”
Czech player Pliskova was impressive in beating Russian Evgeniya Rodina 6-1 6-4 in an hour and 11 minutes on Court One, while Wozniacki was a break down in a deciding set before overcoming Hungarian Timea Babos 6-4 4-6 6-1.
Wozniacki has been top-ranked before, albeit without the Dane winning a grand slam. Kerber landed two of the majors last year, in Australia and the United States.
“I think everyone wants to be No 1,” said Wozniacki. “I think there’s pressure on you whether you’re No 1 or No 5 in the world. You have pressure. It’s all about how you handle it.
“I enjoy having a target on my back because it means you need to keep playing better and improve and keep working hard because everyone is looking forward to beating you.”
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, the 16th seed, became the biggest casualty of the women’s championships so far when she lost a three-set thriller to Arina Rodionova.
The Australian qualifier, who is ranked 166th, prevailed 3-6 7-6 (8-6) 9-7 to register her first singles victory at a grand slam.
American big hitter Coco Vandeweghe began her campaign with a battling straight sets victory over German Mona Barthel.
As the United States celebrated Independence Day, the granddaughter of a former Miss America overcame serving problems to win 7-5 6-2 on Court 18.
Vandeweghe, 25, reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals two years ago and the Australian Open semifinals at the start of this year.
Agnieszka Radwanska fended off former world No 1 Jelena Jankovic 7-6 (7-3) 6-0, with Garbine Muguruza and Kristina Mladenovic also safely reaching round two.