Kerber scraps through to Brisbane quarter-finals

Angelique Kerber of Germany hits a return to Monica Puig of Puerto Rico during their women's singles match at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane January 2, 2013.

Angelique Kerber of Germany hits a return to Monica Puig of Puerto Rico during their women's singles match at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane January 2, 2013.

Published Jan 2, 2013

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Brisbane, Australia -

Angelique Kerber narrowly avoided the fate of five other seeded players, coming back from 5-2 down in the deciding tiebreaker to beat Puerto Rican qualifier Monica Puig, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (9-7) in the second round of the Brisbane International on Wednesday.

The 19-year-old Puig, ranked No 124, led 4-1 in the third set and was only two points from what would have been her biggest ever victory when she dumped a swinging volley into the bottom of the net, letting the No 4 seeded Kerber back into the contest. With No 2 Maria Shaparova withdrawing and players seeded Nos 5-8 already eliminated, Kerber helped salvage the tournament.

In the other second-round match, 19-year-old American Sloane Stephens had a 6-3, 6-4 win over Sweden's Sofia Arvidsson and will meet Serena Williams in the quarter-finals. - Sapa-AP

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