Kerber wins in first round of US Open (Lead, correcting dateline)

New York, Aug 30 (IANS) No.2 seeded Angelique Kerber started her US Open tennis campaign with a comfortable win over Polona Hercog, who retired from the match down 0-6, 0-1.

"To be honest, it's never the way I would like to finish the match, but I went out there to feel my rhythm and start the tournament well. I played the first set really good, so this is what I will take from this match, that I'm playing my tennis," Kerber said after the match here on Monday.

"For me, it's always tricky the first few rounds. So it's always good to have the first round done. Just now focusing on the next rounds," she was quoted as saying by wtatennis.com.

The 28-year-old left hander is bidding to win her second Grand Slam title in 2016, a feat which would see her potentially unseat Serena Williams and reach the women's singles No.1 ranking.

"I mean, for sure I want to be one day No. 1, I think this is a goal from everybody, especially also for me," Kerber said.

"But I will not be putting too much pressure on myself like I said a lot of times, because I know that when I put the pressure I'm not playing my tennis then.

"You know, I will go out there to win every match going step by step. If the day will come someday it will be amazing. But, yeah, just let's see. I have to win few more matches."

--IANS

sam/bg