SYDNEY — Former world number one Angelique Kerber swept past the challenge from China’s Wang Qiang 6-1 6-3 to pick up her first win of the year at the inaugural Adelaide International on Monday. The 2016 Australian Open champion was defeated in the opening round at Brisbane last week by Samantha Stosur but dominated her Chinese opponent from the outset. The Adelaide tournament, which kicked off on Sunday, is a combined ATP and WTA event that replaces the Sydney International, which was dropped from the calendar to accommodate the ATP Cup. Twice Grand Slam winner Halep was a 2018 finalist at the Australian Open and cannot wait to get her season started. I had the chance to train properly in the off-season,” the Romanian former world number one said.

Source: National Post January 13, 2020 12:11 UTC