Royal Institute of Traditional Arts implements Saudi-Chinese cultural exchange program    Localization in Saudi military industries rises to 19.35%    Logistics park for vehicles worth SR300 million to be set up at Dammam port    Commerce Ministry recalls 6,500 Genesis cars due to risk of fire    HONOR KSA expands its presence with new flagship Experience Store in Riyadh HONOR's first flagship store in KSA provides visitors with a premium experience, exciting offers and free services    Saudi, Iranian foreign ministers discuss Oman-mediated talks with US    Prince Sultan University launches first bachelor's program in language and media    Al-Falih: Eastern Province hosts 700 investment opportunities worth SR330 billion    Putin announces three-day Russian ceasefire in Ukraine from 8 May    Crown Prince donates SR1 billion to support housing for eligible families    Pakistani military says it killed 54 militants attempting to cross border from Afghanistan    Suspect charged after Vancouver car ramming leaves 11 dead    Eight hundred Houthi targets hit after weeks of strikes, says US    Rock & Roll Hall of Fame picks Outkast but not Oasis    Duran leads Al Nassr past Yokohama Marinos into AFC Champions League Elite semi-finals    Al Ahli cruise past Buriram into AFC Champions League Elite semi-finals    Saudi orchestra to perform at Sydney Opera House in May    Al Hilal thrash Gwangju to reach AFC Champions League Elite semi-finals    Saudi Theater Commission launches its Work and Learn Project in UK    The season has begun — and one comment shook us all    Pakistani star's Bollywood return excites fans and riles far right    Veteran Bollywood actor Manoj Kumar dies at 87    Bollywood actress vindicated over boyfriend's death after media hounding    Grand Mufti rules against posting prayers and preaching in mosques on social media    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Wimbledon champion Kerber wary of Serena shadow
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 30 - 06 - 2019

There are seven Grand Slam winners in defending champion Angelique Kerber's quarter of the draw at Wimbledon this year but the German admits she is only conscious of one particular minefield — Serena Williams.
Kerber won her third career major at the All England Club last year to add to her triumphs at the 2016 Australian and US Opens. Williams was her victim in the 2018 final as she avenged her loss to the 23-time major winning American in the final two years earlier.
"I don't know everyone who is in my draw, I just know Serena is there. Heard it all the time already," said the 31-year-old German on Sunday. "Serena is one of the best players in the world. She's a champion.
To see how she is still competing and trying to coming back, trying to play her best tennis, she's one of the toughest opponents to beat still. Also with her experience, how she tries to play always her best tennis. Of course, young players are coming, but for me she is one of the best ones."
Fifth-ranked Kerber will have plenty of challenges before she even contemplates facing seven-time champion Williams who she can't meet before the last 16. Amongst potential third round opponents are five-time major winner Maria Sharapova, the 2004 Wimbledon champion, and 2011 US Open winner Samantha Stosur.
Also in her section are new world No. 1 and Roland Garros winner Ashleigh Barty, 2017 Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza as well as 2004 US Open and 2009 winner Svetlana Kuznetsova.
It's enough to put even an experienced player such as Kerber under pressure, especially when it comes after a roller-coaster career at the Slams which has often seen her flatter to deceive when defending a title.
Her defense of her Australian Open in 2017 ended in the fourth round while her attempt to defend the US Open crown later that year was over in a flash, Naomi Osaka applying the knockout blow in the first round.
At Roland Garros this year, her hopes of completing the career Grand Slam were also dashed at the first hurdle when Kerber fell to Russian teenager Anastasia Potapova. Happily for Kerber, she has not lost in the first round at Wimbledon since 2011.
"Wimbledon is more like mentally, also you have the experience of playing a lot of matches on grass, which is completely different to the other surfaces," said Kerber, who made the final in Eastbourne on Saturday, losing to Karolina Pliskova.
"Here you feel a completely different energy. When you come here, you have pressure, the nerves are much higher than usual."
The German fifth seed kicks off her campaign against compatriot Tatjana Maria on Tuesday. With world No. 1 Ash Barty also in the same half of the draw, Kerber might have her work cut out if she is to defend a major title for the first time, but said she would take things one match at a time.
"It's nothing new for me, to be honest," the 31-year-old told reporters at the All England Club on Sunday. "It's right now the first round that's important. What's in the second, third, fourth, whatever, it doesn't matter right now.
"For me it's the most important thing to play the first round, then look ahead day by day. I mean, anything can happen, especially in the Grand Slams. We will see. Of course there are always tough opponents. You have to beat everyone if you would like to win a Grand Slam." — Agencies


Clic here to read the story from its source.