Petkovich continues to be “smart” in Paris
Gerber escaped by a hair’s breadth from the embarrassment of the first round
May 23, 2022, 10:06 p.m.
Andrea Petkovic is now training brilliantly and is advancing steadily to the second round of the French Open. Angelique Gerber, who had to defend from the match ball, faced significantly more trouble early on in Paris. But then he was able to win at Roland Garros for the first time since 2018.
Angelique Gerber was at the end of his power. The first German had to block two match points and, with the loud cheers of the spectators, was able to enter the second round of the French Open for the first time after three bitter first-round defeats. Two days after winning her 14th Tour title in Strasbourg, she defeated former world number one Magdalena Fresh of Poland 2: 6, 6: 3, 7: 5. 2:28 hours later, Gerber moved his second match point to 89th in the world.
The “tremendous self-confidence” she felt after the weekend win was initially blown away by the awkward situation and the late start due to the rain. But in a tough match, his most glorious setback saved the three-time Grand Slam winner, who entered the first round at Roland Garros for the first time since 2018, and now faces Elsa Jackmot of France.
Previously, Andrea Petkovich was very assertive. Darmstadt’s all-time favorite, who reached the semifinals in the French capital in 2014, put on a strong 6-4, 6-2 victory in his opening victory over local hero Ocean Todin. “As you get older, your energy sometimes decreases and sometimes increases,” said the 34-year-old: “Use your energy in art and practice wisely.”
“Like a young hopping deer”
Apparently, Petkovich excelled in production and national coach Barbara Ridner was excited. “It’s a masterpiece. I rarely saw her play tennis in the first round of a Grand Slam tournament,” Ridner told Eurosport. The next enemy of world number 65. Former Number One Victoria Azarenka from Belarus.
After their match, Petkovich expected Gerber to have a good chance of a successful start as well. The two friends went to the training ground together on Sunday morning and went about their duties. “She said she could not get out of bed, but she ran like a young hopping deer,” Petkovic said.
But first, Gerber did not deal with anything against the French. 13 unforced errors were clearly high in the first set and her opponent realized her opportunity and played bravely. But Gerber incorporated himself, played more focused in the second round and Fresh went with his stops. She came back after a break in the decisive set. Both players now delivered a real tennis play. With the best result for Germany.
On Tuesday, Oscar Otte, Peter Kojovsky and Nastasja Shank, the remaining German proponents, will intervene on the last day of the first round before the second round matches are scheduled for Wednesday. Germany’s number one Alexander Schwerev will return to the clay court. The first opponent this Monday is also clear: it is against Argentina’s Sebastian Pace, Sverev’s last defeated in Rome.
