Angelique Kerber suggested that she is back to her best in time for Wimbledon after lifting her first grass court title in a compelling final against Karolina Pliskova in Birmingham on Sunday. The German's 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) win sets her up well for the Grand Slam starting in a week's time and also prevented the Czech from taking over her place in the world's top ten.
Pliskova has served 320 aces, more than any other woman this year, including 11 more here, but Kerber's movement, tenacity, flat counter-hitting, and competitive nous managed to frustrate her dangerously improving 23-year-old opponent.
To achieve it she had to come from a set and a break of serve down in the second set, and then from 5-6 down in the decider plus the disappointment of losing a 5-3 lead, in a match which was intriguingly unpredictable.
"It was an amazing match, and for a final it was perfect," Kerber said. "It sounds good to have my name on the trophy next to Billy-Jean King and Martina Navratilova, and I am proud of what I have achieved this week.
"I just tried to fight point by point and being able to win this will give me great confidence in my preparation (for Wimbedon)."
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