New York: World No2 seed Germany’s Angelique Kerber on Saturday beat Czech player Karolina Pliskova 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in the US Open women’s final match here. Kerber will inherit No1 ranking from Serena Williams on Monday.
Kerber, 28, won in New York to add the US Open to her victory at the Australian Open in January, BBC reported. Pliskova’s semi-final win over Serena Williams had already ensured the German will top the new rankings on Monday.
“All my dreams came true today and I am just trying to enjoy the moment. It is incredible. I’m standing here with a second Grand Slam trophy and it means so much to me,” Kerber was quoted as saying.
Pliskova, 24, went into the final with a WTA Tour-leading 447 aces this year. The Czech made 17 unforced errors in the first set but fought back with 17 winners in the second before powering 3-1 ahead in the decider. The German levelled at 3-3 and then roared as a blistering forehand winner helped her move ahead once again. After 4-4 in the final set, Kerber’s rock solid performance helped her the match.
Kerber is the first German to win the US Open since Steffi Graf in 1996.
