An all-top 20 match-up opens up proceedings at the Apia International in Sydney on Monday with the world number 10, Angelique Kerber going up against the world number 19, Elina Svitolina. Kerber arrives in Sydney having reached the final of the Brisbane International with wins over Camila Giorgi, Madison Brengle, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Carla Suárez Navarro, but came up short against Victoria Azarenka in the final. On the whole it was a very encouraging week for Kerber, who also reached the doubles final with Andrea Petkovic.
Svitolina was in action at the Hopman Cup where she won all three of her singles matches through the round robin stage, beating Vicky Duval (6-4 6-1), Karolina Pliskova (7-5 6-2) and Jarmila Wolfe (6-3 6-3). Along with partner, Alexandr Dolgopolov, they qualified for the final. Unfortunately, the week didn’t end on the best note for Svitolina who lost her final singles match to Daria Gavrilova, 6-4 7-6(6). Svitolina had led 6-1 in the second set tiebreak, but failed to convert on five set points. Gavrilova deserved the win as she was the more aggressive player and once again, Svitolina was too passive when it really mattered.
Head-to-head record: This will be their sixth encounter in three years with Kerber leading the head-to-head, 3-2. Kerber won the first two matches and Svitolina won the next two, notably a come-from-behind, 4-6 7-5 6-3 victory in Brisbane last year where she recovered from a set and two breaks down. In their most recent encounter, Kerber comfortably won in Stanford last year, 6-3 6-1.
Analysis: There have been some question marks around whether Kerber will compete in Sydney. Personally I think she will based on what she was saying in her press conferences in Brisbane. On the whole, the Hopman Cup was a good week for Svitolina, particularly notching up a first win over Pliskova. However, the loss to Gavrilova was an example of what concerns me about the Ukranian player. When things gets tight, she often sits back and doesn’t seize the opportunity. It won’t be a straightforward habit to get out of as this is her natural game… and it will still win her a lot of matches this year as her baseline game is excellent. Drawing Kerber in the first round is rough as she’d probably have the edge over most players in the draw. Both players suffered tough losses in their last matches so will have something to prove… I think Kerber will rebound the stronger.
Prediction: Kerber d. Svitolina in 2 sets
Moo's Tennis Blog 
Just to hard to bet against Kerber.
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Kerber wins in 3- was it a match worth watching?
Also have you guys noticed Bouchard making her way through the Hobart draw? I wonder if she’s back on the up again.
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Great win for Bouchard. She’d lost her last two matches against BMS in straight sets.
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James it was well over 100 F on centre court,I was live at this match and ended up like a melting ice cube.Thank goodness the WTA implemented the Heat Rule,because after the 1st set,Kerber had to call for a MTO,the conditions were not human,just being in the stands,let alone playing on court.I thought Kerber might have retired,I would not have blamed her,though she won the 2nd set 6-0,it was a tight affair in the 3rd set,Kerber won playing more offensively.Elina again was too hesitant,hopefully she can see this in herself and correct it.
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I feel your pain 🙂 I know there’s been talk of moving the AO, and I suppose the rest of the Australian tennis season too, back a couple of months to when the weather would be cooler; but it’s always been refused because Australia Day occurs during the course of the AO and Australians typically have their holidays then.
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Oh my! Hope you still had a good day. Going to watch back Kerber v Svitolina later, sounds like Angie did well to hang in there.
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Does Elina ever smile?
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