It wasn’t always easy, though Angelique Kerber made the second US Open semifinal of her career as she survived a tough first set to eventually eased past Roberta Vinci, the surprise finalist from last year, in straight sets.

Looking to make the same stage as she did at her breakthrough tournament back in 2011, Kerber was down a break three time in the first set but broke back immediately each time before eventually taking the opener and easing to a 7-5, 6-0 victory.

Importantly, the win keeps Kerber in a good position to take the number one spot.

Kerber comes from behind to take tight opening set

The start of the match was extremely encouraging with both women seemingly near their best within the first game, and producing several long and exciting rallies. However, it was Vinci, already using her slice to a strong affect, who converted her third break point to draw the first blood.

Angelique Kerber in action during her quarterfinal victory (Getty/Elsa)
Angelique Kerber in action during her quarterfinal victory (Getty/Elsa)

Kerber, however, provided a swift response, coaxing the Italian into three errors as she immediately broke back., before coming from 0-30 down to secure the opening hold of the match. Despite falling behind for the first time, Vinci was unfazed as she pulled out her opening hold of the match, before once again breaking Kerber after a long game with an exquisite drop shot.

Once again the Italian failed to back up her advantage, dropping her serve, though after Kerber ground out a tough hold, saving a break point along the way, Vinci pulled out her best service game so far to even the opening set at 4-4.

Following the same pattern that the match had so far, Vinci broke only to fail to serve out the set; it proved to be costly, as Kerber pulled out a fairly solid hold before two errors, a passing shot winner, and a foot fault by the Italian handed the Australian Open champion the first set.

Vinci falls away as Kerber eases to victory

After falling 40-0 down in the opening game of the second set, there were encouraging signs for Vinci as she fought back to deuce; however, any chance of a break was swept brutally away by Kerber, setting the tone for the second set.

Roberta Vinci in action during her loss to Angelique Kerber (AFP/Jewel Samad)
Roberta Vinci in action during her loss to Angelique Kerber (AFP/Jewel Samad)

The German easily broke to 15 to take a 2-0 lead and after a comfortable hold a break to love put her in an extremely commanding position as she began to clinically dictate play, hitting winners freely and forcing errors out of her opponent.

Vinci quickly found herself down 0-5 in the second set, just about 20 minutes after she failed to serve out the opener, and, despite going 30-0 up, she was forced to deuce. Though she was able to save a match point, a Kerber forehand set up another and the match ended when Vinci sent a forehand long after a lengthy rally.

Angelique Kerber and Roberta Vinci meet at the net after their quarterfinal clash (Getty/Elsa)
Angelique Kerber and Roberta Vinci meet at the net after their quarterfinal clash (Getty/Elsa)
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About the author
Oliver Dickson Jefford
20. English Literature student at the University of Southampton. Aspiring sports journalist from Hertfordshire.