World No.1 Angelique Kerber has returned to Australia 12 months after she shocked the tennis world by winning the Australian Open.
The German spent New Year’s Eve in Brisbane ahead of the Brisbane International, and on Tuesday made a trip up the Wheel of Brisbane to take in the city’s skyline.
“I’m really trying my best. Let’s see what happens this year,” the 28-year-old told reporters. “But of course I will try to continue my run from last year and try to win a lot more titles.”
On Wednesday night, Kerber takes on Australian comeback kid Ash Barty in a second-round clash; Barty having left the sport two years ago and taken on cricket for a brief period.
“I’m really looking forward to playing against a really young Australian girl,” Kerber said of Barty. “I mean, I think the crowd will be there, and it’s of course a tough match.”
The two meet in the second match on Pat Rafter Arena following Stan Wawrinka’s match against Viktor Troicki. The winner will face No.6 seed Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals.