Angelique Kerber fetches 14th title in front of the French Open

Angelique Kerber ended a long dry spell with the title in Strasbourg. In time for the French Open, she collected confidence, but also drives to Paris with heavy legs.

Just in time for the French Open, Angelique Kerber is allowed to celebrate a long -awaited sense of achievement - and a memorable. The three-time Grand Slam winner triumphed in a dramatic finale one day before the start in Roland Garros at the WTA tournament in Strasbourg. After more than three hours, Kerber defeated the Slovenin Kaja Juvan 7: 6 (7: 5), 6: 7 (0: 7), 7: 6 (7: 5) and travels to Paris with self -confidence.

"It was an exhausting final, I think everyone enjoyed it here," said Kerber at the award ceremony: "It was a great week for me. I increased from Match to match." With the trophy in her hand, she also thanked her team in the stands: "It was difficult weeks, we worked hard to stand here."

Kerber hadn't won a clay court title for six years, and the French Open recently failed three times in a row at her opening hurdle. After a weak season so far, she reported at the preparation tournament in Alsace at short notice in order to at least get some game practice after several bankruptcies. Hardly anyone had expected the 14th triumph of her so successful career.

But Kerber (34) fought his way from round to round, was happy about the long matches and her rising shape and crowned her little run with the victory over the ten years younger Juvan. Provided that she quickly recovers from the strain of the marathon final, the first round in Roland Garros against Magdalena (Poland) should not be a problem in this constitution.

Kerber: Body language is reminiscent of successful past

Against Juvan, against whom she was eliminated at the French Open in 2020, the Kieler fought her way back in the first round after two breaks, fended off a set ball and kept her nerve in the tie -break. Kerber presented himself at a top level, also a serve and forehand - but above all, her body language reminded of the successful past.

Again and again Kerber freed himself from a dangerous situation and did not let his head hang even after violent setbacks. In the second set she caught up with a 1: 4 deficit, was only two points away from the title and yet had to go into the extension, which she again won nerve and playful. Kerber had helped these comeback qualities in 2016 (Australian and US Open) and 2018 (Wimbledon) to the greatest titles.

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Strasbourg does not belong in this list, but Kerber should still be particularly proud of this unexpected triumph. It is also a sign of the French Open and beyond: At the highlight of the sandplane season, the change on their beloved lawn follows with their homeland tournament in Bad Homburg and the mythical Grand Slam on Church Road in the Wimbledon district of London.