Number five seed Angelique Kerber was quick to take the blame away from an ankle injury as an excuse for her shock French Open exit. The German was defeated by number 81 seed Anastasia Potapova in straight sets as she was downed 6-4 6-2.
Kerber was visibly struggling throughout the match and the three-time Grand Slam champion succumbed to defeat at the first hurdle on the Phillipe Chatrier court. She had only participated in three matches during the clay-court season before arriving at Roland Garros due to her troublesome ankle issue.
Related: Kerber’s US Open Run Ended
Kerber says she did not expect too much coming to Paris and says the sore ankle cannot be entirely used as an excuse for failing to win. “At the end I didn’t have much expectation for the tournament. And I think the feeling I had before the tournament was right,” she said.
“I was able to practise in the last few days really good, but it was not a long clay-court preparation with everything. At the end, I was just happy to at least go on court, playing a match, and of course it is not like I hoped for.” On whether she was suffering pain, she added: “It is not my excuse, I tried my best. I know there is still a little bit of work to do to play matches 100%, into sliding, to jumping on the foot, and on the leg.”
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