Kerber loses first match in comeback from maternity leave

Former world number one and three-time grand slam winner Angelique Kerber was defeated in her first match since her maternity leave.

The German player lost 4-6, 5-7 to Jasmine Paolini in Sydney at the United Cup on Saturday.

Paolini's win gave Italy a 1-0 lead over Germany, but Olympic champion Alexander Zverev made it 1-1 with his first win of the new tennis season, a 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 6-4 against Lorenzo Sonego.

The winner of the matchup will be decided in the doubles later. Both nations are competing in Group D alongside France.

Paolini appeared to be cruising at 6-4, 3-1 up, but was forced to recover from 3-4 down after forfeiting two games in order to receive medical treatment in the second set.

Kerber, 35, hadn't played since summer 2022 and gave birth to daughter Liana in February.

Germany's team-mate Laura Siegemund said of Kerber's performance: "I'm impressed. I know how it is, to make a comeback after a long break. Of course it's not her best yet, but that was great tennis."

Sonego took the fight to Zverev early, winning 18 of 24 net approaches to edge the German in a first-set tie-break. But Sonego couldn’t overcome Zverev’s dominant serving over the course of the match.

"The first set was one of the best sets I have seen him play, but I just looked for ways to get back into the match," Zverev said. "For the first match of the season I can't complain."