Angelique Kerber: what happens next with the world No. 1?

Angelique Kerber recently retook the world No. 1 position. Despite the ranking, she splashed out in the first round at the 2017 French Open.

Angelique Kerber saw an early exit this year at Roland Garros.

Coming in as the world No. 1 in women’s singles tennis, Kerber was set to make a run at the major tournament. Instead, the German tennis star was upset in her opening match.

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The loss came against Ekaterina Makarova of Russia.

It was just one of many disappointing outcomes for Kerber so far in 2017. Since first rising to the world No. 1 position in 2016, she has seen up and downs on the WTA Tour. Now, with Serena Williams stepping aside due to her pregnancy, the German tennis player must take advantage of the remaining calendar.

Kerber is 19-12 in singles matches on the year.

If she can find her rhythm, the world No. 1 will set herself up for the second half of the year. In 2016, she reached the finals at Wimbledon and won her first ever title at the US Open.

It is critical that Kerber puts her performance at Roland Garros behind her.

There have been positives for the German tennis player at times this year. She performed well in back-to-back tournaments at Miami and then Monterrey. The most recent stretch of struggling play is simply an inevitable part of the sport.

Going into the second half of the WTA 2017 calendar, Angelique Kerber has a chance to reinvent the entire year. Strong play at the final two Grand Slams can erase her early mishaps and will set her up to once again be the player to beat on tour.

Next: Top 10 Men's Singles Players in Open Era

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