So far, in 2017, Angelique Kerber's level of tennis is far from what she put in back in 2016. A 4th round loss at the Australian Open and an early exit last week in Doha might be some concerning outcomes but the German has a great opportunity this week in Dubai. As the no. 1 seed, Kerber received a bye in the first round.
With Serena Williams not in the main draw, Kerber is set to become the world no. 1 again, if she wins the Premier 5 event of Dubai. Easier to say than done, as many top ranked players are in the main draw, each one of them having their own ambitions.
A jam-packed WTA event
Kerber might wanna consider herself lucky when it comes to her potential path into the competition. She is leading the first half of the main draw and it seems that she can hope for the best. In her part of the board, few names can impersonate a real danger for the current world no. 2.
In her opening match, the German will play against Mona Barthel (109 WTA), who received a wild card entry to the event. Low ranked indeed, but she got past Jelena Jankovic- former world no. 1- of Serbia in the first round.
When it comes to future opponents, the projections show a possible clash with Caroline Garcia, then either Samantha Stosur or Elena Vesnina.
For the semis, it would be nice to have a match opposing Kerber and Cibulkova but it's a long road ahead and major upsets are a common ground of the WTA World Tour.
Kerber needs a good result
The German lost some pace in 2017, but she remains a great athlete. She only needs a strong solid positive outcome to regain her self-trust which she had back in 2016. A triumph in Dubai will get the job done.
Currently, Serena Williams, the occupant of the highest spot of the ranking has 7780 points.
Kerber comes the 2nd with 7115. If she wins the Premier 5 event of Dubai she will get in front of the herd with 7955. It might not be a solid leverage, but for the mid-term projection means a lot as she has few points to defend either at the Indian Wells and Miami or the European clay court swing. Last year, she won only a single WTA event on clay in Stuttgart, Germany.
At the French Open, she suffered an early exit.
