WHAT HAPPENED: 2016 US Open champion Angelique Kerber took the long way into the third round of this year's tournament on Thursday afternoon, as she survived a determined effort from Sweden's Johanna Larsson, 6-2, 5-7, 6-4, in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The Wimbledon champion and former world No. 1 led Larsson, 6-2, 5-2, and had a pair of match points in the second set before being extended deep into a decider by the world No. 82.
Kerber improved her career record against the Swede to 4-0 overall. She had never lost more than four games in any set against Larsson in their previous matches, but was tested here.
"I think it was really a tough match and a tough battle, especially in the third set. I think that I played good until 5-2 in the second set, and I was really trying to playing the game I was planned to play," Kerber said.
"I think it is tennis that you have to play until the last point. She came back. She played good when she was down, and she had nothing to lose then."
The German lost her last four service games of the second set, after having broken Larsson in three of her first four trips to the service line in the middle set.
Buoyed by a pair of dramatic saves to keep her US Open alive, Larsson continued her momentum into the final set. She held serve from 0-40 down to begin the final set, and twice broke Kerber to get back on serve as the Wimbledon champion looked to have victory in hand.
Nonetheless, the third time the world No. 4 stepped to the line to serve out the match proved to be the charm, as she rallied from 0-30 down in the set's final game to seal victory.
"I think she likes to play in the big stages, as well. She goes out, has nothing to lose, she tries to play her best tennis," Kerber said of Larsson.
"Today, she played unbelievable points. I think we had a lot of tough and good rallies. She's a tough opponent."
WHAT IT MEANS: Kerber needed two hours and 23 minutes to book her spot in the third round opposite No. 29 seed Dominika Cibulkova, who won a similar marathon in the Flushing heat to defeat Su-Wei Hsieh, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4.
The pair have played five times, with Kerber winning four of the pair's meetings -- including both matches this year. Kerber scored victory over Cibulkova en route to winning the title in Sydney in January, and also defeated her at the WTA event in Eastbourne in June.
"I think it will be another tough match against Domi. I mean, we have played so many tough battles in the past and now we have another match ahead," Kerber assessed.
"I'm looking forward. I know what to expect. She know knows how I play, I know how she plays. I think it will be a good match."
MATCH POINT: A year after losing in the first round of her title defense, Kerber is back in the third round in New York for the seventh time in the last eight years.
