Pera upsets Kerber to advance in Melbourne, Venus through

[ASFN Admin]

Unseeded American Bernarda Pera flew out of the blocks at the Australian Open on Monday and trounced three-times Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber 6-0 6-4 to storm into the second round. Compatriot Venus Williams, a finalist at Melbourne Park in 2003 and 2017, also enjoyed a winning start at Margaret Court Arena, advancing with a 7-5 6-2 win over Kirsten Flipkens. Kerber, Australian Open champion in 2016, came into her first meeting with Pera as the favourite but won just eight points en route to conceding the first set in 18 minutes.

Continue reading...