PARIS, May 28, 2017

Angelique Kerber lost her first round match at Roland Garros, becoming the first top-ranked women’s player in the Open era to lose at this early stage of the French Open.

The 29-year-old German fell to Russian Ekaterina Makarova, losing 6-2, 6-2  in one hour and 22 minutes on Court Philippe Chatrier. It was the second consecutive first-round loss in Paris for Kerber, who won the Australian Open and US Open titles last year and finished runner-up in Wimbledon.

Kerber dropped serve six times and made 25 unforced errors against an opponent who has reached just one WTA Tour final this season.

Ekatreina Makarova – photo: Brigitte Urban

“It’s unbelievable to win and to do it on my first appearance on Philippe Chatrier court as a singles player after nine years of coming to Paris,” said Makarova, who made it to semi-finals at the 2015 Australian and the 2014 US Open.

“At the end of the match, it was really tough as I knew she wouldn’t give it to me – I had to win it.”

Makarova will next take on the winner of the all-Ukrainian match between Lesia Tsurenko and Kateryna Kozlova.

“I don’t feel comfortable on clay, especially on my movement, because, I cannot slide so well. I don’t know. Normally I can move very well, but on clay it’s always a little bit different and difficult for me. So I think that makes the difference for me compared to the other surfaces,” Kerber told afterwards.

“Of course I’m disappointed that the clay court season was not so good. At the end maybe it’s good that it’s over for me. I think I will go back home. I will have a rest for a couple of days.  I really don’t know what I will do now, but for sure I will think about what is the best preparation for grass .”

Görges Loses Marathon Match

Julia Görges lost in a marathon match 6-1, 3-6, 11-13 against Madison Brengle from the United States. The 28-year-old German hit 79 winners but also produced 90 unforced errors. The encounter ended after two hours and 48 minutes.

Brengle now awaits either Timea Bacsinszky from Switzerland or Sara Sorribes Tormo of Spain.