Germany’s Angelique Kerber hits a shot against Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko. AP
MELBOURNE, Australia – Angelique Kerber is two-for-two at the Australian Open: winner in her first Grand Slam match as No. 1, and as a defending champion.
Kerber defeated Lesia Tsurenko of Ukraine 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 to open night play at Rod Laver Arena.
Last year, Kerber began a breakout year with an upset win over Serena Williams in the Australian Open final.
Kerber lost the Wimbledon final to Williams but went on to win the U.S. Open for her second career major and cap a season that saw her overwhelmingly named WTA Player of the Year.
Kerber served for the match Monday in the second set but let Tsurenko take it on her fifth set point before the German player dominated the decider.