MELBOURNE, Jan 16, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Angelique Kerber's Grand Slam comeback
ended with a whimper in the first round of the Australian Open on Tuesday as
the new mum crashed out in three sets to Danielle Collins.

In her first major following an 18-month hiatus to give birth, the German
fought hard but succumbed to the 2022 Melbourne Park finalist 6-2, 3-6, 6-1.

The unseeded Collins will now play world number one Iga Swiatek.

Collins broke three times in the first set, but three-time major winner
Kerber bounced back.

The 35-year-old German saved two break points in the sixth game of the second
set, then worked her own break point in the next game, with Collins double-
faulting to put the German 4-3 ahead.

It was the glimmer of hope the 2016 Australian Open champion needed, racing
through the next two games to level the match.

But Collins kept coming and got a decisive break in the third game of the
third set, breaking twice more to romp home.

Reunited with longtime coach Torben Beltz, Kerber's return from pregnancy
leave has been rocky -- she lost four of five matches at the United Cup
before defeat to Collins.