ZCZC
BSP-03
TENNIS-AUS-WTA-KERBER
Wimbledon champion Kerber to defend Sydney title
SYDNEY, July 20, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber will
defend her Sydney International title in January in preparation for next
year’s Australian Open, organisers said Friday.
The German climbed to No.4 in the world rankings after her 6-3 6-3 win over
Serena Williams to claim her first Wimbledon title at the All England Club
last week.
Kerber, who downed Australia’s Ash Barty to win this year’s Sydney
International final, said the tournament will be a good tune-up for the
Australian Open starting in Melbourne on January 14.
“Playing the Sydney International is always a great opportunity to face
some top quality opposition,” Kerber said in a statement.
“Every single match is really tough, so it’s a great way to fine-tune my
game after the off-season, and also get used to the weather conditions in
Australia, which are quite different to Europe at that time of the year.”
The Sydney International will take place at Sydney Olympic Park Tennis
Centre from January 6-12.
BSS/AFP/MRI/0851 hrs