Monica Puig put in her best performance of the year as she ousted former world number one and two-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber in the first round of the BGL Luxembourg Open, triumphing with a straightforward 6-3, 6-4 scoreline. In a repeat of the Olympics final last year, Puig put up a clinical display of consistent and aggressive tennis, which was able to overpower to faltering German this evening.
Puig gets the perfect start to the match
Puig had a shaky, yet comfortable start to the match as she served in the opening game. Several unforced errors from the Puerto Rican saw Kerber being able to earn a break point, but an overrule from the umpire kept Puig in the game as the German was visibly unpleased with the decision. The underdog managed to hold onto her serve, getting the confidence-boosting start.
Kerber was unable to find her first serves, and her vulnerable second serves were often exploited by the aggressive Puig, who was playing some top-notch tennis this evening. In a repeat of the Olympic Gold Medal match, it seemed like a replica of that thriller as Puig took the early break before fending off three break points to consolidate the break for a 3-0 lead despite Kerber’s toughest resistance.
Puig closes out the first set in a hurry
The former world number one finally got onto the scoreboard, sealing her service game with a powerful ace down the tee to lessen the deficit. However, Puig did not seem like halting her gear as she continued to play fearlessly in front of the enthusiastic Luxembourg crowd, opening up a 4-1 lead within a blink of an eye.
Kerber found herself in deeper trouble after gifting Puig with another break point in the seventh game, unable to find the rhythm on her serve. Fortunately, Kerber sent an excellent forehand down-the-line winner to fend it off before finally grabbing the tight service hold in the seven-minute game. An exchange of service holds ultimately ended up with Puig earning the golden opportunity to serve out the set, which she did so comfortably after just 40 minutes.
Puig gets the early breakthrough
The two-time Grand Slam champion had the perfect start to the second set, grabbing the confidence-boosting service hold in the opening game. Puig soon followed suit but it was Kerber who was the first to blink as the Puerto Rican made the first breakthrough in the third game, with the German’s backhand misfiring often, undermining the ability of her forehand.
Kerber wastes her opportunities as Puig grabs the win
Kerber had the golden opportunity to break straight back but was once again incapable of converting her chances, sending a forehand return directly into the net. Puig then prevailed in the tight service game and consolidated for a formidable 3-1 lead in the second set. The former world number one was able to earn her chances yet again but was just too passive on the important points as Puig fended off three break points and held onto her lead.
The opportunities kept coming in for Kerber, but she ended the match with a 0/8 break point conversion rate, with Puig putting in a very impressive performance. The Olympic Gold Medalist was extremely consistent with the Silver Medalist lacking behind in terms of power. Puig soon found herself serving for the match, and Kerber sent a big forehand into the net on match point, gifting the win to the Puerto Rican after an hour and 28 minutes of play.