Perfect start to the 2019 tennis season for Julia Görges: The Porsche Brand Ambassador has won the WTA tournament in Auckland and in doing so she also successfully defended the title she won last year.
In Sunday’s final, the 30-year old German defeated the Canadian Bianca Andreescu 2-6, 7-5, 6-1. It is the seventh WTA career title for the Porsche Team Germany player and winner of the 2011 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix.
Playing in her third Auckland final, Julia Görges got off to a slow start against the impressive 18-year old qualifier, who had previously beaten the top-seeded Caroline Wozniacki and Venus Williams – both former world No. 1s. She lost the first set easily and was 5-4 down in the second before turning things around to eventually win the title when converting her first match point after one hour 45 minutes.
“It was a really tough match. Things didn’t always go to plan today. Bianca made it very difficult for me, but I benefitted from my experience in the decisive moments,” said Julia Görges. “The victory gives me a lot of confidence going into the Australian Open.”
The first tournament week of the new year also proved to be successful for Angelique Kerber. Playing for Germany at the Hopman Cup, the mixed team event in Perth, Australia, the Porsche Brand Ambassador reached final for the second time in succession with her partner Alexander Zverev. Like in the year before, the Wimbledon champion won all her singles matches.
