Kerber nabs first career title in Paris
Angelique Kerber celebrates her win at the GDF Suez WTA Open.
Share This Story
PARIS (AP)
Angelique Kerber of Germany won her first WTA title Sunday by overpowering second-seeded Marion Bartoli 7-6 (3), 5-7, 6-3 in the Open GDF Suez final.
Net play
FOXSports.com serves up the latest from the tennis world:Kerber became the first German to win the Paris tournament since Steffi Graf in 1995, clinching victory with a forehand winner.
''I knew I had nothing to lose,'' Kerber said. ''She was the favorite today.''
After a first set with four service breaks, Kerber capitalized on an unforced error from Bartoli to take a 4-1 lead in the tiebreaker. She clinched the opening set when the Frenchwoman's backhand sailed long.
Kerber then whipped a forehand crosscourt winner to break for a 2-0 lead in the next set, but the U.S. Open semifinalist failed to serve out the match at 5-3, as Bartoli won five straight games to even the match with an ace.
''I got a little bit nervous,'' Kerber said about being 5-2 up in the second set.
Kerber jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the final set. Bartoli saved four match points at 5-2 but Kerber converted her fifth match point in the next game.
DAVIS CUP 2012
World Group Quarterfinals
April 6-8
April 6-8
''I made a few tactical mistakes in the beginning of the third set that cost me,'' Bartoli said. ''I lost the match in those first four games.''
Kerber beat top 10 players for the first time in her career this week. As well as edging the 7th-ranked Bartoli, she also ousted the third-ranked Maria Sharapova in the quarterfinals Friday.
''That means a lot to me,'' Kerber said. ''Now I believe in me and I know that I can play with them.''
Kerber said things clicked for her when she reached the semifinals of the U.S. Open last year.
''From that moment, I was feeling without pressure,'' Kerber said. ''I began to believe in me and in my game. ''I'm for sure a little bit stronger mentally. I'm a little bit fitter than one year ago.''
Bartoli was in tears at the trophy presentation.
''Physically, it was extremely intense,'' Bartoli said. ''I really dug deep to rally. I consumed so much energy and adrenaline that I just let everything go after the match.''
Related Stories
Trending Now
-
Mickelson withdraws after 79
Phil Mickelson bails on Memorial after opening-round 79. -
Franklin sorry for hot wives comment
Vanderbilt football coach James Franklin apologized late Thursday after claiming he o... -
Goodell confident bounty hunting over
Commissioner Roger Goodell is confident that bounty hunting will no longer be an issu... -
Former NBA star Twyman dies at 78
Basketball Hall of Famer Jack Twyman has died at 78. Twyman was one of the NBA's top ... -
Thunder rout Spurs, trim deficit to 2-1
Spurs finally lose playoff game -- and it's not even close.
Tennis Videos
London 2012: Tennis
Posted: May 09, 2012
FOXSports.com gets you ready for London 2012 with a preview of Tennis.
FOXSports.com gets you ready for London 2012 with a preview of Tennis.
Find out what a gold medal is worth
Posted: Apr 17, 2012
FOX Sports Olympic analyst Evan Morgenstein asks what a gold medal's really wort...
FOX Sports Olympic analyst Evan Morgenstein asks what a gold medal's really wort...
Federer feeling good about game
Posted: Mar 22, 2012
Roger Federer talks about the current state of his game and more.
Roger Federer talks about the current state of his game and more.
Tennis Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| adidas Detroit Pistons Royal Blue Primary Logo T-shirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Detroit_Pistons/browse/featuredproduct/172443/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_172000/FF_172443_xl.jpg&w=100 | 17.95 | adidas Detroit Pistons Royal Blue Primary Logo T-shirt |
| adidas Miami Heat Black Primary Logo T-shirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Miami_Heat/browse/featuredproduct/173566/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_173000/FF_173566_xl.jpg&w=100 | 17.95 | adidas Miami Heat Black Primary Logo T-shirt |
| adidas Phoenix Suns Orange Primary Logo T-shirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Phoenix_Suns/browse/featuredproduct/188087/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_188000/FF_188087_xl.jpg&w=100 | 17.95 | adidas Phoenix Suns Orange Primary Logo T-shirt |
| adidas Houston Rockets Red Prime Logo T-shirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Houston_Rockets/browse/featuredproduct/188088/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_188000/FF_188088_xl.jpg&w=100 | 17.95 | adidas Houston Rockets Red Prime Logo T-shirt |
| adidas Phoenix Suns #13 Steve Nash Orange Net Player T-shirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Phoenix_Suns/browse/featuredproduct/190075/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_190000/FF_190075_xl.jpg&w=100 | 24.95 | adidas Phoenix Suns #13 Steve Nash Orange Net Player T-shirt |
| adidas Los Angeles Lakers #24 Kobe Bryant Purple Net Player T-shirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Los_Angeles_Lakers/browse/featuredproduct/194199/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_194000/DS_194199_xl.jpg&w=100 | 24.95 | adidas Los Angeles Lakers #24 Kobe Bryant Purple Net Player T-shirt |
| adidas Chicago Bulls #1 Derrick Rose Red Net Player T-shirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Chicago_Bulls/browse/featuredproduct/204457/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_204000/FF_204457_xl.jpg&w=100 | 24.95 | adidas Chicago Bulls #1 Derrick Rose Red Net Player T-shirt |
| adidas Orlando Magic #12 Dwight Howard Black Net Player T-shirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Orlando_Magic/browse/featuredproduct/223440/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_223000/DS_223440_xl.jpg&w=100 | 24.95 | adidas Orlando Magic #12 Dwight Howard Black Net Player T-shirt |
| adidas Indiana Pacers #33 Danny Granger Navy Blue Player T-shirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Indiana_Pacers/browse/featuredproduct/243908/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_243000/FF_243908_xl.jpg&w=100 | 24.95 | adidas Indiana Pacers #33 Danny Granger Navy Blue Player T-shirt |
| Sport Authentics by adidas Cleveland Cavaliers Gold Retro Logo T-shirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Cleveland_Cavaliers/browse/featuredproduct/244087/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_244000/FF_244087_xl.jpg&w=100 | 25.95 | Sport Authentics by adidas Cleveland Cavaliers Gold Retro Logo T-shirt |
Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "add a comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.