Former Wimbledon champion, Germany’s Angelique Kerber, said she will have to play her best tennis against Australia’s world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty in the semifinals at the All England Club if she hopes to add to her 2018 title at the grass court Grand Slam.
Angelique, seeded No.25, needed just an hour and 15 minutes to overcome the challenge from 19th seed Karolina Muchova of Czech Republic 6-2, 6-3, notching her 10th straight match-win in the process on Tuesday evening.
Angelique came into Wimbledon having taken the title at the inaugural Bad Homburg event in her home country of Germany.
“Against Ash, I know that I have to play my best tennis,” Angelique said. “She has a lot of confidence right now. She played well. I know that I have to play my own game. I have to just think how to play, be aggressive, and try to take the match more in my hands and go for it. Even if I miss a few shots, I have to stay there and try to push her.”
Angelique, who reached the semifinals in London for the fourth time in her career, said: “I just try to continue my play on grass. Having, of course, the confidence from the last week (Bad Homburg title), coming here with a title in my bag, gives me also confidence that grass is really my surface,” Angelique told wtatennis.com.
Another trip to the final four continues a run of exceptional success at Wimbledon for Angelique, who defeated Serena Williams in the 2018 final and finished runner-up to her in 2016. Angelique also reached the Wimbledon semifinals in 2012.
“Of course, it’s a good feeling already to have the (Wimbledon) trophy at home and to win it here,” Angelique said. “I think it’s more about this tournament for me, because when I was a kid I really looked forward to playing this tournament good, and playing my best tennis here.
“Now I’m back. I’m coming (back) after a really tough time. I was not playing good the last few months. Now winning last week a tournament at home, now playing well here again, that means a lot to me.”
