Angelique Kerber secured her spot in the fourth round of the Indian Wells Masters with a hard-fought win against Veronika Kudermetova, describing the match as “intense” and affirming its significance in her journey back from maternity leave.
The 36-year-old, boasting three Grand Slam titles, triumphed over the 17th-seeded Russian in a tightly contested battle, prevailing with a scoreline of 6-4, 7-5.
Reflecting on the match, Kerber expressed satisfaction with her performance, emphasizing the importance of such wins in boosting her confidence for the upcoming rounds. “It was a really intense match — almost two hours for two sets,” she remarked. “It’s another important win for me and gives me confidence for the next rounds.”
Feeling positive about her form, Kerber highlighted her comfort on the court, indicating her progress towards reclaiming her best tennis against formidable opponents. “I was feeling good,” she said. “Hitting the balls good, moving good. I’m on the way to playing again good tennis against the best players.”
Transitioning from rigorous practice sessions to competitive tournaments, Kerber expressed relief at the shift, preferring the dynamic challenges of match play. “I’ve practised now for months — I’m done with practice,” she stated. “I’m happy to be having matches now.”
Anticipating her next match against Caroline Wozniacki, another WTA tennis mother, Kerber acknowledged their friendship off the court but emphasized their competitive spirit on it. “We are friends now and we will be still friends after a match,” she said. “We will try of course to win.”
Despite their competitive edge, Kerber underscored the broader perspective, recognizing the significance of relationships beyond tennis. “But at the end, I think there are more important things than a tennis match,” she reflected. “For the crowd it will be an interesting match.”
