Focused Kerber keeps her eyes on the prize

From low-profile contender to new world No 1 holding two major trophies, Angelique Kerber goes into the 2016 China Open under increasing media glare but the German remains level-headed about her new-found fame.

Even before the start of her first-round match against Czech qualifier Katerina Siniakova on Monday, Kerber felt the spotlight on her as the top seed and title favorite at this year's China Open, the biggest tournament during the Asian Swing on the WTA Tour.

Local fans mobbed the outdoor court where she practiced while tournament media officers struggled in arranging her pre-event interviews in the face of rising media interest.