The American’s crown slipped when she was beaten in the semi-finals by Czech Karolina Pliskova, who in turn bowed to 28-year-old Kerber in the final on Saturday.
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Serena Williams faces a challenging new landscape in her continued pursuit of Grand Slam history thanks to the rise of a clutch of talented and fearless rivals led by new No 1 Angelique Kerber.
In the end, her 47 unforced errors – a effect of her big-hitting approach – compared to Kerber’s meagre 17 proved her undoing. That is the best year in my career. “It all started for me here in NY five years ago when I reached the semi-finals and now I am here with the trophy”, she added.
Angelique Kerber won her first US Open title after beating Karolina Pliskova in three sets in NY.
Kerber had beaten Pliskova in three sets in NY, having secured the top spot days earlier following Serena Williams’ exit. “When I was a kid, I wanted to be No. 1 in the world and win Grand Slams”. The German star has featured in three of the year’s Grand Slam finals (winning two) and was also a silver medallist at the Olympic Games. But the crowd at the Arthur Ashe Stadium was clearly on her side and with that support she rallied and started nailing big forehands as she took the second set 6-4. “I mean, she has more experience to play those finals than me so probably decided in this match”, she added. After returning to the court and sitting down, Kerber was reduced to tears of joy.
Kerber took advantage of Pliskova’s big-match nerves-evidenced by a couple of misses at the net-to break in the opening game.
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 the locker room, is there a sense that maybe things are shifting? ‘I don’t feel it in the locker room, and I’m not really taking care of those things.
Always in the shadow of her compatriot, Steffi Graf, who had dominated the women’s game so well three decades ago, Kerber is being viewed as a crop of exciting ladies who are emerging as a new transition force in women’s tennis.
Her rocket to the baseline on the next point left Kerber helpless and the match was level at two sets apiece. “Then she has the whole court open”, said Pliskova.
“She was always my idol and I told her so many times”, said Kerber, adding that Graf had sent her a text wishing her luck.
“I felt this was one of the biggest things, when you know you can run forever on court and you’re not anxious that you can play three sets”. I would not say it was because of my serve, because obviously it’s tough to play someone who is, you know, still every ball putting back.
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Kerber said if you believe in your fitness, you believe in yourself.
