Defending champion Angelique Kerber has celebrated her 29th birthday by advancing to the third round of the Australian Open. Kerber started out solid in the first set, but struggled against some of Witthöft’s deep, powerful forehands late in the second. 1 is to face Kristyna Pliskova, who beat Irina-Camelia Begu 6-4, 7-6 (8) in the fourth round on Friday. “I’m always playing on my birthday – always in Australia,” Kerber told reporters in the on-court interview. The 35-year-old former No.1 will face former Wimbledon finalist Tomas Berdych in the third round after the Czech posted a 6-3, 7-6 (6), 6-2 win over Ryan Harrison.

Source: Daily News Egypt January 18, 2017 11:44 UTC