Kerber struggling even as she ascends back to No. 1

On Monday, Angelique Kerber will become the No. 1 player in the world again regardless of what happens throughout the rest of the BNP Paribas Open. While a return to the throne is a worthy accomplishment, the German is not playing anywhere near the same level that got her to the top of the tennis mountain for the first time last season.

Kerber's 2017 record is 9-6 after losing 6-3, 6-3 to Elena Vesnina on Tuesday in Indian Wells.

Her losses have come to dangerous players by the double, including two losses to Elina Svitolina (in Brisbane and Dubai) and two to Daria Kasatkina (in Sydney and Doha).

But none of Kerber’s defeats have come at the hands of a Top 10 opponent in 2017—her highest-ranked opponent so far was Svitolina, then ranked No. 13.

What's more, in her six losses, the soon-to-be world No. 1-ranked player has won just two sets.

What's more troubling is that Kerber has yet to beat a Top 35 player, and she only barely slipped past world No. 62 Pauline Parmentier on Monday.

“I think I'm feeling good,” Kerber said after edging Parmentier, 7-5, 3-6, 7-5. “I mean, I played—actually, it was a good match also from her. So I'm feeling not bad.”

In her defeat to Vesnina, Kerber again praised her opponent, but admitted to not playing well.

The positive news for Kerber (aside from that coveted No. 1 spot) is that she doesn't have a ton of clay-court points to defend. The defending Wimbledon finalist and US Open champion will certainly need to regain her form for the later half of the season.