INDIAN WELLS: The BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells on Sunday, California, Angelique Kerber of Germany showcased her vintage form, staging a remarkable comeback to defeat 17th-seeded Russian Veronika Kudermetova 6-4, 7-5 in the third round.
Formerly the world No. 1 in 2016, Kerber rallied from a 2-0 deficit in the first set and maintained composure throughout a tense second set, ultimately prevailing over Kudermetova, saving seven of 11 break points along the way.
This victory marked the culmination of an impressive campaign at Indian Wells, where Kerber had earlier ousted No. 10 seed Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia. Kerber’s resurgence is particularly noteworthy considering her recent challenges; following the birth of her daughter in February 2023, she struggled with form, losing six of seven matches upon returning from maternity leave.
However, Kerber’s perseverance is paying off as she rediscovers her competitive edge. Reflecting on her triumph, Kerber expressed her love for the thrill of competition and the support of the crowd, highlighting the emotional significance of the moment.
Meanwhile, in another notable match, top seed Iga Swiatek of Poland dominated her opponent, 26th-seeded Czech Linda Noskova, with a 6-4, 6-0 victory. Swiatek’s next challenge awaits against Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva, who upset No. 18 seed Madison Keys of the United States with a commanding 6-4, 6-1 win.
