Can Angie attack again Down Under?
It’s been six years since Angelique Kerber recorded the first overall win of her career at a Grand Slam tournament at the 2016 Australian Open. Two more Grand Slams and the leap to number one in the WTA world rankings followed. Recently, however, things have been noticeably quieter for the Bremen-born player, who failed to reach the first round in Down Under a year ago.
Even now, the German is not one of the favourites for the overall victory, but she has by no means picked a heavyweight for the opening match. The Kieler is clearly favoured against the 36-year-old Estonian. In the run-up to the match between Angelique Kerber and Kaia Kanepi, the odds are clearly in favour of the former world number one.
It still remains to be seen what kind of shape the German is in after her infection in December. From a medical point of view, everything seems to be fine, but she only resumed her training late in December because the green light from the doctors only came during the Christmas period.
Accordingly, we do not expect a short match and recommend betting on Angelique Kerber against Kaia Kanepi for more than 19.5 games.
Angelique Kerber – Statistics & current form
Current ranking in the world rankings: 17
Position in the seedings: 16
The 33-year-old German Angelique Kerber has been one of the crowd favourites Down Under at least since her surprising overall victory in 2016. A year ago, however, that did not save the former world number one from bowing out in round one at the 2021 Australian Open.
Admittedly, this could be a good omen, because before her Grand Slam victory in 2016, the last time she failed in her opening match was in Melbourne Park in 2015.
Won 32 of the 45 completed singles at the Australian Open
At least the record speaks for the Kieler, who has won 32 of her 45 singles matches in the Australian Open main draw so far.
That corresponds to a strong win rate of 71%, which she would like to increase in the new year.
It remains to be seen, however, what the German’s physical condition will be like. At 33, she has certainly not yet passed her sporting zenith, but due to her infection in December, she played a significantly shortened preparation for the season and also refrained from all preparatory tournaments.
She has been playing for a long time.
Winning percentage of 50% against Kaia Kanepi
Factually, Angie will now play her first rated singles match on the WTA Tour since early November 2021, although it is somewhat surprising that she has been made the favourite again in view of her recent two consecutive defeats, which saw her finish 2021 as world No. 16.
Kaia Kanepi – Statistics & current form
Current ranking in the World Ranking: 71
Seeded position: unseeded
The 36-year-old Estonian Kaia Kanepi played her first professional season 22 years ago and has since made 52 appearances in the main draw of the four Grand Slam tournaments.
Although the former top-20 player has never won a major title, she has reached the quarter-finals of six Grand Slam tournaments, which was always the end of the line.
Win percentage of only 45% at the Australian Open
However, this does not apply to the Australian Open. In fact, in twelve appearances at the most important tennis tournament Down Under, the Estonian has never before reached the second week of the tournament in her career. The third match at the latest was always the end of the line, which means she has only won ten of her 22 singles matches at Melbourne Park.
Angelique Kerber’s chances of winning her opening match against Kaia Kanepi, of all people, against a former overall winner are correspondingly poor. After all, the 36-year-old has failed to reach the first round in five of her twelve appearances at the Australian Open.
Already active at Melbourne Summer Set 1
At least the Estonian is in a better rhythm than her German opponent and has already acclimatised in Melbourne. After all, Kaia Kanepi just completed a preparatory tournament here at the beginning of the year at the Melbourne Summer Set 1, a WTA 250 tournament.
After her opening win over Jaqueline Cristian (WTA 71), she lost to Ana Konjuh (WTA 67) in the second round. With one win under her belt, the 36-year-old enters the tournament not only with the accumulated experience of 22 years as a professional, but also with a healthy dose of self-confidence.
Angelique Kerber – Kaia Kanepi Direct comparison / H2H-balance
Head to head: 2:2
The two women have faced each other in a singles match four times so far and after Kaia Kanepi won the first two duels with the German, at least the last two meetings went to Angelique Kerber. However, their last match against each other was eight years ago, when Angie won 2-0 at the WTA Sydney 2014, also Down Under.
Angelique Kerber – Kaia Kanepi Tip
With Angelique Kerber against Kaia Kanepi, the prediction basically goes in the direction of the former world number one from Germany. However, considering that Angie is now on court for the first time since her infection, which is by no means symptom-free, it is still not an easy decision to follow the supposed favourites and bet on the Kieler’s opening win.
In addition, Angie has seldom been feathered before a first-round exit and can boast a win rate of only 50% against her Estonian opponent. All the more coherent to switch to betting that more than 19.5 games are needed before the winner is decided.
