TheSportsCampus

Angelique Kerber's build-up to the All England Championships in Wimbledon is still right on track: a comfortable 6-0, 6-3 win against Klara Zakopalova from the Czech Republic has put the German player in the final of the grass court tournament being played at the English seaside resort of Eastbourne. The 24-year-old German's victory has further improved her impressive record for the current season. She has already won 40 matches this year, more than any other player on the WTA Tour.

En route to her first final on grass, Angelique Kerber took the initiative right from the very first serve. Totally unperturbed by the strong winds blowing around the venue, she immediately put her opponent under pressure forcing her to make mistakes. The first set lasted less than 20 minutes. It took until the second set for the Czech to get more into the game but it wasn't enough to make any significant difference. Having been on court for 59 minutes, Angelique Kerber clinched the encounter with her first match point.

"It was very tough today, the wind made it very difficult for the both of us," said Angelique Kerber who will move up to No. 7 in the world rankings should she win the final.

Her opponent in the final will be the Austrian Tamira Paszek (No. 59) who surprisingly beat the world No. 9 Marion Bartoli from France in a semifinal that lasted over three hours. Paszek trailed Bartoli 6-4, 4-0 before rallying back to win 7 of the next 8 games to snatch the second set 7-5.

Paszek fell 2-0 behind early in the decider, but again went on a run to win the set 6-4 to advance to the first WTA Premier final of her career.

"I've never played Tamira. It certainly won't be easy as she's been playing exceptionally well here this week. To get so far on grass gives me a lot of confidence. The wins are definitely the best way to prepare for Wimbledon."