Australian Open: I'm getting back my winning feeling, says Angelique Kerber

Angelique Kerber

Angelique Kerber ominously says she is getting her 2016 Grand Slam winning feeling back, signalling her intent to reclaim the Australian Open with a quarter-final demolition of Madison Keys yesterday. The champion at Melbourne two years, seeded 21, ruthlessly brushed aside last year's US Open finalist 6-1, 6-2. "I know that I was working hard in the off-season, and I know that I can play good matches.

I'm just trying to find the feeling back I had like 2016," said Kerber. Kerber said she was enjoying life and tennis again after a torrid 2017 that she began on top of the rankings and ended outside the top 20. "I just try to enjoy myself again on court. You know, I had a tough last year," said the German. "I'm proud how I got through all the last weeks and being in the semis again in a Grand Slam. So I'm feeling good."

Meanwhile, World No. 1 Simona Halep expects a marathon in her semi-final against Kerber. "For sure is going to be a second marathon this tournament," said Halep looking ahead to the semis. She has played the German eight times with the series level at 4-4. "But I'm used to that. I know her pretty well. She likes it here. But I started to like this tournament, after two years in a row losing in the first round," added Halep.

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