RG - Angie stopped in quart

It is always tougher writing about Angelique's defeat. No matter the event, we would like to see our favorite wins, at all time but Angie is wiser then us all, knowing that she can learn from every match, win or lose.

She started strong, very strong, even taking the lead 4-0, but all of a sudden, Halep woke up and then the battle was on.  Watching the match, i didn't how she would managed, but i knew Angie will win the first set, and she did, with a well battled tie breaker.

The fight was more equal in the second set, but no matter what people things, it is Angie forehand that made the difference.  Since the beginning of the tournament, it had been a weapon, but it also been a little inconsistant, and this match, it cost a bunch. Halep managed to win the important in this match, and she finally turned things around to beat Angie.

It is the first mach of the year that Angie is losing after winning the first set, she was so close and overall, this tournament allowed the German to find her ground on a surface she hadn't been really in love with for the past couple of year and the lesson learn will certainly improve her game in other surface as well.

And there is so little missing to her game to beat everybody else.  When that forehand will find her consistance back, I am not sure no one will be able to stop her.

You are so close Angie, keep on believe, we do!

RG - Angie def Garcia 6-2, 6-3

After a more complicated match against Kiki Bertens, Angie started strong against the local favorite Caroline Garcia.  She was quick on her feet, was moving fast and hitting well.  Her backhand was regular as a clock, her forehand really powerful, but a little inconsistant at times, but nothing major as she was able to win the important points. Some spectacular points, closing the doors to the french woman on the the few occasions she had.  It may not have been the best match of Garcia, but Angie never let her get into the it.  Again, it was a little complicated to close it out, but broke back to win her spot in the quarter final against Simona Halep.

RG Hardest

The weather! :)

RG - Angie def Bertens 7-6(4), 7-6(4).

There is not much fuss around Angelique Kerber.  Everybody is talking about everybody else, except Angie, she is totally flying under the radar.  So much, that no one really realize what she accomplished today, by defeating Kiki Bertens in two really tight set ending in a tie-breaker in which the German was able to level up her game to seize opportinuties to close the first set, and the match.  It was also a revenge from 2016 as Kiki had beaten her in the first round then.

It wasn't always a clean match but errors rarely occured early in a point.  The girls were hitting really hard and running was on the menu with Angie hanging on just a little but longer.  Compare to many matches i've seen this season, it wasn't always Angelique dictating the point, but she was ready to fight and it is a battle in which she won the most important point at the end and most of the time, the most incredible shoot. 

At the end, what matter, is finfing solution to win a match, and Angie just did that today.

The assistance is obviously behind Angie but on the next match, she will meet a crowd favorite, Caroline Garcia.  Angie's game is better in all aspects, and the only advantage the Frech Woman has against the German, is the crowd.  I don't think it will be enough, but Angie needs to remain in her bubble and she keeps getting better and better.

RG - angei def Bogdan 6-2, 6-3

Same court, same score then 2 days ago, and similar match as well but instead of needing 4 trials to close the match, Angie needed only 2 - she saved the best for when she needed too.

Overall, she didn't really need to force her talent, solid match, in which she was trying to dictate the point, some very nice winners when needed, some unforced errors spilled here and there which didn't really affected the match.

Her upcoming match is going to be a great test for Angie. To me, if she wins this, she can make it all the way to the title.  Kiki Bertens is a tricky opponent, and their 2 only meeting was back in 2016 - Angie win the first, but she lost the second, here, in Paris, in 2016.  Fans all know that, she knows that, and she will be ready to fight.  

Angie is superior, in every aspects of her game, and if her confidence on clay is getting better, this is the only advantage kiki might have - a big one you might said, but there is not much for Angie to get that confidence.  Angie is fresher and Bertens has been playing everything.  The key for Angie is to start strong, stay focus to keep the lead because I think she will.  She will also needs to try to keep a high % of first serve in. It is not going to be easy, but i believe she can make it.