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Kerber beats Pliskova in US Open final
Kerber, 28, beat Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in a thrilling match in her third Grand Slam final this year, two days after unseating Serena Williams as the world’s top seed.
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“When I was a kid, I was always dreaming to be No. 1 and to win Grand Slams”, a clearly emotional Kerber said afterward. “It’s the best year in my career”.
Angelique Kerber insists she can cope with the pressure of being US Open champion and world number one.
Pliskova, 24, had never been beyond the third round at a major before, but her run in NY included wins over both Williams sisters.
Kerber, who admitted that ranking matters a lot to her, revealed that it was always her dream to rise to the top and win Grand Slam titles, Sport24 reported.
Williams’ dominance is what made Germany’s Angelique Kerber realize if she was ever going to win majors, she had to hunker down and change in dramatic ways and become even fitter, tougher, mentally stronger.
Kerber divested Serena of the world No.1 ranking when Pliskova upset the American 6-2, 7-6 (7-5) in Thursday evening’s first semi-final.
When Pliskovas final forehand sailed out, Kerber was launched on a joyous celebration, climbing into box where coach Torben Beltz was sitting then returning to the court where the tears flowed.
“She has more experience to play those finals than me so that probably decided this match”, Pliskova said.
There were plenty of lengthy exchanges in that first set, and Kerber tended to get the better of them, winning 9 of 14 points that lasted at least 10 strokes.
In doing so, not only did she become first German to become No.1 since Steffi Graf, she also did her legendary compatriot a huge favour by not allowing Serena to beat Graf’s now tied record 186-week reign as No.1. “It’s incredible.” Pliskova double-faulted on the match’s first point and got broken from the start, making 17 unforced errors in the first set alone, 14 more than Kerber.
Gaining in confidence, Pliskova grabbed her first break of the match for a 4-3 lead, lofting a lob over the German. And when she fell behind a break early in the third and deciding set at Arthur Ashe Stadium, it seemed as it if she would do just that. On the contrary, Pliskova was all pumped after winning the second, and stretching the title-decider to the final set. She had never gone past the third round in a major. A little bit before the match I felt nervous, but I think that’s normal.
“Right now I don’t know if she has messaged me because my phone is somewhere, so I don’t know how many messages I have now”.
Pliskova couldnt maintain the advantage.
But this was Kerber’s turn to show some mettle, breaking back to 3-3 and then once again to seal the victory.
Kerber has kept in close touch with Graf and says she received a text from her before her latest success.
“You know, it’s never easy for the player who is attacking and is doing more mistakes”, Pliskova said.
Amidst the disappointment she was looking forward to building on her breakthrough Slam performance.
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I found out I can play against the best players in the world on the big courts, Pliskova added.