DUBAI, February 20, 2019

Former World No. 1 Angelique Kerber fell in her opening match at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. The fifth favourite from Germay lost to Su-Wei Hsieh of Taipei 7-5, 4-6, 0-6 on Wednesday afternoon.

Hsieh, who lost the two previous meetings with Kerber, broke her opponent’s serve seven times to secure victory in one hour and 44 minutes.

Kerber goes for a spin

Angelique Kerber

Ahead of her match, Porsche ambassador Kerber took a spin in the Porsche Panamera. The 31-year-old spoke to the tournament during the drive about her career and what she loves about Dubai and the tournament: “For me it’s really important to enjoy my tennis and play really intensely, that’s why I try to change my practice schedule, the young players are coming, tennis is getting stronger and stronger.”

On Dubai and the tournament, Kerber said:  “I really love the city you can do so many things here, I come here for my holidays to relax, the fans are great, the hotel on-site is great and everyone is so friendly. My goal is always to have a consistent year, to improve my tennis, and right now I really try to enjoy every single moment, Dubai is a big tournament, everyone is playing here.”

Following her tour of Dubai, Angelique visited the Porsche Centre Dubai, Al Nabooda Automobiles LLC, where she was greeted by K. Rajaram, CEO of Al Nabooda Automobiles.

Hsieh will next take on Karolina Pliskova from the Czech Republic, who beat US-American Alison Riske 7-6(3), 7-6(5) in two hours and four minutes.

“I don’t really win a lot of matches [here[ before. Every time I come, I win a match, I was like, Oh, yeah, I win a match. I’m excited. I’m not like winning a lot before,” Hsieh was quoted on the WTA website.

“I just need to try to play my game and be happy on the court, be positive.”