The clay court season has reached its highest level of intensity as the french open started today. In women's singles, first round session has delivered quite a shock to the world no. 1 and the first seed Angelique Kerber who left the Tennis court in defeat. It was Ekaterina Makarova of Russia stunning Kerber at the end of a one-way match. The German is having some of the darkest days being unable to regain her pace. The clay court swing was a nightmare for her as her stats show a 2-3 score in win/loss department. She won only two matches during the clay season and those wins were accomplished against two players from outside the top 30, Timea Babos and Katerina Siniakova.
It's a similar scenario to that of last year where she also seemed unable to get some momentum on this surface.
Makarova deserves all the credits
Ekaterina Makarova (40 WTA) arrived in Paris as one of the most dangerous unseeded players. The 28-year-old Russian has been struggling with form lately but she remains a player to avoid especially in the opening rounds. After all, she has quite a record under her belt as he is a former world no. 8 and Australian Open and US Open semifinalist. A brilliant double player lately, she has the ability to produce further shocks in singles. Before today's match, Kerber was leading in head to head stats by 7-4 having also won their last meeting on clay back in 2015 in Stuttgart.
The Russian player had a different approach earlier today, a level of tennis to which Kerber didn't know how to efficiently respond. The world no. 1 lost in two symmetrical sets 2-6 2-6.
Although the first seed in Paris, Kerber was given no credit for a potential success at Roland Garros. She was not even in the area where the debates regarding the favorites took place.
This huge upset also has a historical side worth being mentioned. According to the WTA official page, it's the first time in Roland Garros history when the first seed loses in the opening round.
Kerber will shift focus to the grass season though her spot might be in danger
An early exit in Paris means a huge time off for the world no.
1. She will now focus on the upcoming grass court session targeting Wimbledon where she was a runner-up last year. But, in the process, she might lose her slot. If Karolina Pliskova reaches the final in Paris, the Czech tennis star will dethrone Kerber. Moreover, even Simona Halep can reach the no. 1 spot. She must win the French Open to top Kerber in the ranking. On the same time, the Romanian has to pray that Pliskova won't get past the semis. And the exciting part has just started. Halep and Pliskova are sharing the same half of the draw and they could meet in the semis. Now, what a match that would be?
