Defending champion Kerber crashes out of US Open

German sixth seed and defending champion Angelique Kerber was knocked out in the first round of the US Open by Japanese teenager Naomi Osaka.

The two-time Grand Slam champion was overpowered by the 19-year old, who won 6-3 6-1 to advance to the second round.

29-year-old Kerber, who also crashed out of the French Open in the first round while she was world no 1, has not won a title since her victory in New York last season.

“I’m still the same player and the same person,” she said after the defeat.

Read also: US Open: Sharapova stuns Halep on Grand Slam return

“I know that I’m strong and I know that I will come back stronger, for sure.

“I know that I will not be giving up like this. So for me, I will try to forget the match as soon as possible and look forward again.”

Speaking after her victory, Osaka, who lost to Madison Keyslast year inthe third round despite leading 5-1 in the final set, said: “It means a lot, especially since last time I was here.

“When it was 4-1 today I was thinking, ‘I really hope I don’t do what I did last year’ and that let me focus a lot”.

 

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