"To have this pressure is a privilege. It's completely new for me, but I'm doing well. I'm just trying to enjoy it," she said, before the Rod Laver Arena crowd sang "Happy Birthday". "I am getting older... But she lost focus and her countrywoman made the most of it, breaking back with some pinpoint shots from the baseline.The set turned into a slug-fest and Kerber succumbed to the pressure in the tiebreak, firing blanks on her serve which allowed Witthoeft to win six points in row and take the set.Kerber was rattled and lost her opening service game to love, but she quickly regrouped as the crowd got behind her to break back.A tired Witthoeft had no response and her previously stern resistance crumbled into surrender.

Source: Times of India January 18, 2017 05:33 UTC