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Aussie Open champ falls at French Open

Angelique Kerber was bounced early from the 2016 French Open. (AP Photo)
Angelique Kerber was bounced early from the 2016 French Open. (AP Photo)

Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber became the first big name to fall at Roland Garros, losing 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 to Kiki Bertens.

The third-ranked Kerber struggled Tuesday, dealing with a shoulder injury and a determined opponent.

Bertens broke Kerber twice to claim the game’s first set. Kerber, who toppled world No. 1 Serena Williams in Melbourne for a stunning upset, then responded with a 6-3 win in the second set to stave off elimination.

But Bertens would not be denied, jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the deciding third set before Kerber called for a medical time out to tend to her ailing shoulder.

The time out briefly revitalized Kerber, as she staved off two match points. But, a failed drop shot bid would send Kerber home, while Bertens was through to the second round.

"I'm disappointed that I lost the first round here," Kerber said after the match. "That was for sure not my best tennis I played today."

Berterns had momentum on her side, as she came into the match having claimed a title in a Nuremberg warm-up tournament. Meanwhile, Kerber had suffered opening-round losses at both the Madrid and Italian opens. She had never advanced past the quarterfinals at Roland Garros.