Although it wasn’t exactly smooth sailing, Angelique Kerber, the 2016 US Open and reigning Wimbledon champion, appeared to be on her way to a straight-sets victory over Sweden’s . Up 6-2, 5-2, Kerber served for the match and a spot in the third round when suddenly, she took her foot off the gas and Larsson pounced.

It was not a spectacular display of serving from either player. Larsson threw in one too many double faults and it cost her the third game. Kerber, who plays left-handed, managed to secure the first set without facing a break point.

Both possess formidable groundstrokes off both wings but Kerber, playing too far behind the baseline too often, found herself on the defensive way more than she likes. The German failed to mix up her shots, going cross-court to Larsson’s wheelhouse – the forehand - one too many times and it cost her.

Despite breaking Larsson for a second time in the seventh game of the opening set, Kerber struggled to win her service games easily and did not hit a single ace in the set. Kerber sealed the deal with her signature shot, the forehand down the line to claim the opening set 6-2. Although she was only getting 40% of her first serves in, she won 80% of those points and an impressive 60% on second serve points.

Kerber would have to significantly improve her first serve percentage rather than relying upon Larsson donating double faults if she hoped to win the match in straight sets. The Swede opened her second service game of the second set with a double fault - her third of the match. Kerber broke to take a 2-1 lead as Larsson continued to rack up the unforced errors.

Larsson, serving at 1-3, threw in her 4th double fault to go down a break point which Kerber converted when the Swede was unable to return her forehand down the line.

Kerber serving at 4-1 and a mere two games from the third round, found herself down double break point as the errors began to pile up. Larsson continued to swing freely and converted her second break point when Kerber’s backhand found the net.

Hoping to consolidate the break and get back on serve, Larsson was in danger of giving back the break as she faced 0-40 following a terrific cross-court backhand winner from the German in addition to donating her 5th double fault.

Larsson managed to save two of the break points each with an outstanding groundstroke winner. She was not as fortunate, however, on the third and dropped serve as her inside-out forehand went wide.

Kerber served for the match up 5-2 but could not cross the finish line as her game and composure suddenly unraveled. Her opponent, just four points from the locker room and a trip to the airport, went for broke and it paid off.

Larsson hit two overhead winners and a forehand down the line to go up 30-40 and converted when Kerber’s backhand went wide.

Larsson served with new balls at 3-5. Kerber appeared determined to finish off her opponent with a final break of serve. The German had finally reached match point after Larsson netted a backhand and threw in her 6th double fault.

Following a lengthy rally, Larsson pulled the trigger and unleashed a winning inside-out forehand to level at deuce. Kerber held a second match point after the Swede’s shot sailed long.

Larsson executed an astonishing forehand drop shot for a second deuce. On the following point, she struck a wicked forehand which Kerber could not handle. Now with a game point, she overcooked the backhand and it was deuce for the 3rd time.

Larsson continued to swing from the rafters and hit most of her shots on or close to the baseline. Following a brilliant cross-court backhand winner, Larsson struck a huge serve to hold for 4-5 and denied Kerber victory.

The German had another opportunity to serve for the match but could not get it done. The three-time grand slam champion had become unhinged and following four uncharacteristic unforced errors, was broken and in a blink of an eye, they were back on serve.

Larsson maintained her aggressive play and mentality and held easily for 6-5. Kerber now had to hold to force a tie-breaker but opened with a double fault. She soon found herself down double break point as the unforced errors continued to multiply.

Larsson embraced the moment and secured the second set 7-5 with a running forehand volley winner. Incredibly, the #82 ranked player had just reeled off 5 consecutive games to level the match at a set apiece.

The Swede served first in the deciding set and immediately came under pressure as she donated another double fault. Kerber sharpened her focus and leaned more into her shots getting excellent depth and acute angles. Facing triple break point, Larsson dug deep and saved all three with controlled aggression and deft touch.

Disheartened by the missed opportunities, Kerber stayed the course and held to 15. Though she continued to dictate most of the baseline rallies, Larsson faced break point in her next service game when she missed a forehand down the line. Kerber remained steadfast as she unloaded on a courageous, cross-court backhand winner short in the box for the break.

Serving up 2-1, the German faltered following three unforced errors-one a double fault. Larsson broke serve with a marvelous swinging forehand volley winner. Level at 2-2, Larsson maintained her poise despite committing her 8th double fault.

Larsson held as Kerber continued to miss off the ground. Kerber serving at 2-3 had one of her easiest holds of the entire match. Although Larsson missed a few groundstrokes, it was Kerber’s brilliant down the line backhand struck on her knees that seemed to light a fire in the #4 seed.

Level at 3-3 in the third, Larsson faced triple break for the second time in the set. Coming on the heels of her 9th double fault, she succumbed to Kerber’s relentless attack as the German struck a cross-court backhand and forehand on successive points and broke when Larsson misfired on the backhand down the line.

Serving up a break, Kerber was scrambling as she faced break point following two forehand errors on consecutive points. Larsson, aggressive on the second serve return, uncorked a powerful inside-out forehand to break for 4-4.

The tension and excitement in the stadium were palpable. At this point, it looked as if the former world #1 would be the player catching a flight to Europe. Larsson appeared calm and confident while Kerber seemed agitated and unsure.

Serving to take the lead, Larsson found herself down double break point following an astounding drop shot and forehand down the line pass by Kerber. The Swede’s fate was sealed when she struck her 10th double fault to lose serve.

Kerber once again served for the match and this time – the third time – was the charm. Despite seeming fragile facing 0-30, the #4 seed regained her focus and hit 3 winners on the next 3 points to reach her 3rd match point. She clinched the set 6-4 when Larsson’s backhand went wide.

Angelique Kerber has reached the third round, but it wasn’t pretty or straightforward; she finished with 4 double faults, 1 ace and won a lackluster 56% of first serve points.

Those stats will not win the US Open for the second time in two years. She had more errors to winners and converted just 8 of 20 break points. She will need to seriously up the ante against her next opponent, Dominika Cibulkova, the #29 seed. The former top 5 player is a formidable competitor especially on hard courts and though Kerber leads the head to head 7-5, she will need to bring her A game if she hopes to further advance.