Kerber began her 2016 season beating the 22-time grand slam victor in the Australian Open to earn her first majors title.
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Though both Kerber and Pliskova took their game to the next level in the final set, it was the second seed, who clinched the final two games of the set to win the US Open.
“Amazing to win a second Grand Slam in one year”, Kerber said.
Kerber wiped tears of joy and relief from her eyes before accepting a winner’s cheque for $3.5 million and a gleaming silver trophy after fighting back to beat Karolina Pliskova in a display worthy of the new number one player in women’s tennis.
The 28-year-old had the opportunity to displace Serena Williams from the number one position when she took on the Czech player in the final of the Cincinnati Masters in August 2016.
Pliskova’s semi-final win over Serena Williams had already ensured the German will top the new rankings on Monday.
German second seed Angelique Kerber was crowned the 2016 US Open women’s Singles champion after winning the grand finale against tenth seed Karolina Pliskovia on September 10. Kerber had also made it to the Wimbledon final in July. Kerber finally prevailed 6-3 4-6 6-4. By the conclusion of the 2-hour, 7-minute final, Pliskova totaled 47 unforced errors, 30 more than Kerber. With Kerber, it was striking how quickly she shut down the notion of doubt.
“First of all, my fitness and then to being more aggressive and go for it when I have the chance”. In that first set, she put forward the best version of her game, absorbing all the pace from the tall, big hitting Pliskova, as she always does, but also constantly forcing her immobile opponent to move and sweeping up every time the ball dropped short. She has worked harder than most players with more talent than her, and also harder than most with less than her, always focused on the goal of getting that feeling as she stared down the home stretch of a slam final. Quickly, Pliskova dragged her from sideline to sideline.
“All my dreams came true today and I am just trying to enjoy the moment”.
The German levelled at 3-3 and then roared as a blistering forehand victor helped her move ahead once again.
As she does against most opponents, Kerber would make Pliskova swing two, three, four extra times to try to end a point. I’m really so happy and so proud about everything what’s happened now about my team, about my game, and about my improvement, as well.
“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”.
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“She’s really grown as a player”, Fernandez said.
