Angelique Kerber survives scare against Hseih Su-Wei, books quarterfinal date with Madison Keys

TOURNAMENT favourite Angelique Kerber is brimming with self-belief ahead of her Australian Open quarterfinal clash with Madison Keys, despite surviving a major scare today.

Germany’s Angelique Kerber is all smiles after booking her spot in the quarterfinals with a win against Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-Wei. Picture: AFP

TOURNAMENT favourite Angelique Kerber is brimming with self-belief ahead of the Australian Open quarterfinals despite surviving a major scare today.

Kerber joined No.2 seed Caroline Wozniacki and No.1 Simona Halep as remaining women’s seeds to escape three-set epics after her 4-6 7-5 6-2 win over surprise packet Hseih Su-Wei on Rod Laver Arena.

The 2016 Australian Open champion was on the brink of a shock fourth-round exit as Hsieh had her running to all corners of the court in the enthralling two hour and eight-minute battle.

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Germany’s Angelique Kerber is all smiles after booking her spot in the quarterfinals with a win against Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-Wei. Picture: AFP

Kerber trailed 4-5 late in the second set before winning three straight games to send it to a decider, when she eventually overwhelmed a tiring Hsieh to set up a clash with No.17 seed Madison Keys for a spot in the semi-finals.

“Of course that win gives me a lot of confidence that I can also turn around matches, that I can also find always a way to come back and win matches like this because the game style was really tricky, especially the first, I don’t know, two hours,” Kerber said.

“But I was just trying to believe in myself that I can win the match. I’ve played so many matches already this year and I just try to continue this and trying to enjoying also the really important moments because this is for what we are practising and for what we are sweating during the practice and to have matches like this.”

The former world No.1 will face a completely different style of opponent in the quarterfinals tomorrow, when she faces hard-hitting American Keys.

It was a brutal struggle between Kerber and Hsieh. Picture: AFP

The pair has played seven times, with Kerber leading the head-to-head 6-1.

“It’s a great feeling to be back in the quarters.” Kerber said. “I had a tough off-season and right now I’m trying to enjoy it.

“It will be completely different than today but I know what to expect. I know she’s a hard hitter and she has a great serve and then the next few points, balls.

“But right now I’m not thinking too much about the next match. I will just try to enjoy the moment now and then tomorrow I will get ready for Madison then.”

Keys advanced to her second Australian Open quarterfinal after an impressive — and powerful — win over No.8 seed Caroline Garcia 6-3 6-2.

Keys needed just one hour and eight minutes to blast 32 winners and nine aces past Garcia in a dominant performance.

Hsieh Su-Wei threw everything she had at Angelique Kerber. Picture: AFP

Last year’s US Open finalist is hungry to get another chance at her first grand slam title but isn’t getting ahead of herself.

“I think the biggest thing for me is I’m just really enjoying myself out on the court,” Keys said. “I obviously missed a lot of tennis last year and wasn’t playing well at the beginning of the year.

“I realised once I just let things happen and trusted myself and just played my game, good things were happening and good outcomes were happening.

“So I just keep focusing on that and not putting as much pressure on myself.”

Originally published as Angelique Kerber survives scare against Hseih Su-Wei, books quarterfinal date with Madison Keys