Kerber stays perfect in Hopman Cup singles

Angelique Kerber of Germany beat France’s Alizé Cornet at the Hopman Cup in Western Australia’s capital of Perth on Wednesday. The win maintains her perfect record in singles matches at the Hopman Cup.

Kerber broke the Cornet serve and then consolidated to lead 3-1 in the opening first set. At 4-2, Kerber hit her first tweener, then winning the point with a big grin. That shot was shown over and over in the minutes that followed.

At 4-3, when Kerber was serving, she missed a sitter to concede a point instead of closing out the game. But she was not made to pay, as she won the next point to lead 5-3. When serving out the set at 5-4, Kerber double-faulted on the first point, and then Cornet was able to break the German’s serve to level the score at 5-5. Cornet then got a set point on the next Kerber serve, after she held her own serve to now lead 6-5. It took three set points for the Frenchwoman to take the first set 7-5, despite the world no. 2’s early lead.

In the second set, Kerber broke in the first game, but Cornet broke straight back. Then Kerber took the lead when she broke again in the third game, and then consolidated after successfully challenging a ball that was called out. At 3-2, Cornet earned 2 break-back points, but they were saved. Kerber then later broke to lead 5-2, from where she was able to serve out the set, winning it 6-2, despite breakpoints from the world no. 45.

Kerber had the first breakpoints in the deciding set at 1-1, where she broke and then consolidated to lead 3-1. At 4-2 the German had another chance to break, but Cornet was able to hold serve when Kerber hit the ball into the net. Kerber was serving for the match and got a match point at 2 hours and 2 minutes of play. She won the match when Cornet hit the ball into the net after Kerber served the ball out wide.
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Photo: Angelique Kerber of Germany plays a forehand to Alize Cornet of France in the women’s singles match during day five of the 2019 Hopman Cup at Perth Arena on January 02, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)

Kerber and her partner Alexander Zverev enjoyed their final day of 2018 exploring Rottnest Island, an island located just offshore from Perth. There the Germans spent some time with the native quokkas, Kerber took a helicopter ride and Zverev did some kayaking on the beach.
Embed from Getty ImagesPhoto: Angelique Kerber of Germany sits on a beach at York Bay on Rottnest Island during day three of the 2019 Hopman Cup on December 31, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)
Embed from Getty ImagesPhoto: Angelique Kerber and Alexander Zverev of Germany take selfies with quokkas during a trip to Rottnest Island during day three of the 2019 Hopman Cup at RAC Arena on December 31, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)

Zverev backed up Kerber’s win when he defeated Lucas Pouille 6-3, 7-6(8), 6-2. That win wrapped up the tie ahead of the mixed doubles. The French team got a consolation win in the doubles.