NO.1 SEED KERBER OUT FOR LUNCH
WORLD NO.1 Angelique Kerber became the first top seed to lose in the opening round of the French Open after she was thrashed before lunch yesterday.
The German left-hander lost 6-2 6-2 to Russian Ekaterina Makarova in only 82 minutes to continue her nightmare form – and leave the women’s draw even more wide open with Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova already missing.
Kerber won two Grand Slams and reached the Wimbledon final last year, but has appeared in only one final this season.
“Right now I have to find myself again and just try to forget the clay-court season as soon as possible, then reset and start from the grass courts again,” said Kerber.
Double Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova made an emotional return to tennis as she beat Julia Boserup 6-3 6-2. The Czech needed surgery on her left hand after she was stabbed by a burglar in her home five months ago.
“I feel great,” said the No.15 seed. “My team was there. My family was there. Everyone who helped me through this difficult time. There were a few tears after the match point.”
British No.4 Dan Evans (above) won the first set against veteran Tommy Robredo on his Paris debut, but lost 5-7 6-4 6-3 6-1.
Jo Konta will seek her first-ever main draw win in Paris against world No.109 Hsieh Su-Wei tomorrow, when last year’s finalist Andy Murray also opens his campaign against world No.85 Andrey Kuznetsov.