体坛英语新闻：Kerber levels for Germany in Fed Cup clash with Switzerland

BERLIN, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- Angelique Kerber overcame Timea Bacsinszky in 6-1, 6-3 to level the scores 1-1 between Germany and Switzerland in the first round tie of the Fed Cup on Saturday.

Seven days after clinching the Australian Open title in Melbourne, Kerber continued her winning streak with a 6-1 and 6-3 within 74 minutes over Switzerland's Timea Bacsinszky. It was a very needed victory for the Germans as Andre Petkovic had lost her match 6-3 and 6-4 to 18-year-old Belinda Bencic.

Angelique Kerber wrapped the first set in 30 minutes against Bacsinszky, who trailed 5-0 but was at least able to earn one game in the first set.

The second set started other than expected as breaks were exchanged, allowing Bacsinszky to grab the 2-1 lead. However, Kerber adjusted her game and turned the tides to 5-3. Bacsinszky denied three match points before a double fault by the Swiss made the game safe for Kerber.

"Angelique did unbelievably well. To overcome Timea 6-1, 6-3 is great. I think everybody could see that she lost energy in the second set but she handled it and she can be really proud. We are proud of her," Germany's team captain Barbara Rittner said.

In the opening game Andre Petkovic lost in two straight sets to Belinda Bencic. Petkovic secured a bright start into the match with a 2-0 lead in the first set. Nevertheless, Bencic soon gained a foothold into the match and sealed the first set 6-3 by winning six of the next seven games.

In contrast to the first set, the second set remained evenly balanced until Petkovic gave away her serve (4-5) and match with a forehand error.

Germany hold an overall 4-1 lead over Switzerland in the Fed Cup.

The following draws are scheduled for Sunday: Angelique Kerber faces Belinda Bencic, Andrea Petkovic sees Timea Bacsinszky before Annika Beck and Anna-Lena Groenefeld take on Viktorija Golubic and Martina Hingis in the doubles.