Australian Open champion Kerber knocked out in Paris first round

Wednesday, 25 May 2016 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Reuters: Angelique Kerber’s first grand slam match since winning the Australian Open in January ended in despair after she was beaten 6-2 3-6 6-3 by Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands in the French Open first round on Tuesday.

The German third seed struggled with a shoulder injury in the third set and went off court for treatment when trailing 3-0.

The break failed to revitalise her, however, and after saving two match points, Kerber surrendered her title hopes with an ill-judged dropshot that failed to clear the net.

World number 58 Bertens will next play either French wildcard Alize Lim or Italian Camila Giorgi.