While Kerber beat last year’s U.S. Open runner-up, seventh-seeded Roberta Vinci, and two-time Wimbledon victor Petra Kvitova en route to the Open final, Pliskova’s road has been tougher. She had hit two exhausted forehands – one in the net and one long during that game. After finishing 2015 ranked 10th in the world, with only one Grand Slam semifinal appearance behind her, she shocked Serena in the Australian Open final.
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This was the first back to back match for either semifinalist, Williams, Pliskova, Kerber or Wozniacki during this season’s Open, playing both Wednesday and Thursday night. Back came Pliskova, who won the second set and got up a break in the third at 3-1 before Kerber rebounded as the 24-year-old from the Czech Republic finally wilted, getting broken at love in the match’s last game.
“It’s a great feeling”, Murray said in his post-match interview when reminded he’s accomplished something his more famous younger brother, Andy, has not by winning two major titles this year.
She said at 28 she’s better equipped to cope with the demands of the number one ranking than she would have been earlier in her career. From 4-4 in the third set, Kerber won the final eight points of the match.
After a break apiece, the set went to a tie-break and it was Pliskova who prevailed after Williams double-faulted on match point.
The Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd roared and Kerber celebrated by raising her right hand and wagging her index finger in the air as she took the opening set. “I don’t think Serena’s going anywhere but it gets more hard as the younger players come up”. “I know it will be mentally tough, too”. From there, she held her serve and took a 3-1 lead in the final set.
“I can go out there focusing on my game”. Kerber beat two-time U.S. Open finalist Caroline Wozniacki 6-4, 6-3 and will ascend to the No. 1 ranking Monday.
Pliskova is still riding the wave of momentum her Cincinnati triumph over Kerber sparked.
“It’s just incredible. I won my second Grand Slam in one year”, Kerber said after the match. “I’m trying to enjoy all the moments, on court and off court”. I know how she is playing.
Kerber was able to win two of her three, while Williams lost to Kerber and Spain’s Gabrielle Muguruza in the Australian and French Opens respectively.
The quick advantage gave Kerber plenty of breathing room.
“It means a lot to me, ” a teary-eyed Kerber said during the trophy ceremony after accepting a $3.5 million first-prize check. “I am excited to be in the final and to beat Serena as she is such a great champion”, she said.
“But she was always my idol and I told her that so many times”.
The resulting defeat cost Williams her 23rd Grand Slam. Even in the second set there was some complications. “I have been in Toronto or Montreal or Cincinnati where I play Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday”.
Pliskova, who arrived at Flushing Meadows with a reputation of grand slam under-achiever having never before been beyond the third round of the major, shed that label by making it all the way to the final and taking on back-to-back world number ones. Her team, however, believes it’s the flawless scenario – and motivator – for Kerber coming into Saturday.
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“What’s happened in the last two weeks, it’s just incredible”, Kerber said. I know what to change.
