She defeated the German left-hander in the Cincinnati final on the eve of the US Open.
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With a third Grand Slam final of the year on the horizon, Angelique Kerber couldn’t afford to lose her focus despite realizing her once only dreamed-of rise to world No.1. It doesn’t happen often that you’re playing a semi-final against Serena on centre court here in NY. “That’s a final of a Grand Slam, so anything is possible”.
Williams was bidding to surpass Steffi Graf’s Open-era record 22 major triumphs but she bowed out in Arthur Ashe Stadium to a ruthless Pliskova, who won 6-2 7-6 (7/5).
“Obviously, the match with Venus helped me…not only with the game, but also with the crowd”, Pliskova said.
“I definitely wasn’t exhausted”, she said.
“It was not so easy to go then on court [after Serena’s loss], because I knew it actually before that if Serena lost, of course, that I will be the No. 1, ” Kerber said.
Williams, who practices every day, and noted that she had no problem with daily tournament play, adamently stated that the two matches within two days had nothing to do with her loss.
The loss was a profound one for Williams, who played erratically in producing 31 unforced errors against only 20 winners. Before the match I felt a little bit like pressure, nervous. But it was what it was. “I was trying not to think about it too much the last few weeks”.
However it is hard to argue against Pliskova being the more impressive of the two, given her win over Serena Williams.
Pliskova and Kerber will meet in the women’s final today. But Thursday, she looked the part of an up-and-comer with the strokes and demeanor to go far.
It would explain some of her unusual statistics against Pliskova, who plays Kerber in Saturday’s finale. “I just blame that on thinking about my leg and just not thinking about the shot”. Serena is a world class player and beating her in Semifinals is a big thing for me.
Angelique Kerber celebrated her rise to the number one position in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings by cruising past Caroline Wozniaki in the semi-final of the ongoing 2016 US Open. “If I can’t turn around after 24 hours and play again then I shouldn’t be on tour”. Williams is now tied with Steffi Graf on 22.
Victory in the US Open would have been a record 23rd Grand Slam title for Williams. On the other hand, Australian champion Kerber beat Carolina Wozniacki with 6-4, 6-3 to reach USA open final.
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Moments before walking on the court, Kerber’s ascension to the top of the world rankings had been confirmed after Serena Williams suffered a shock defeat by Karolina Pliskova. But she did say that a left-knee injury that cropped up the night before made a difference. So I will be ready for anything. “It’s something really special”. She had already lost in the Australian and French Open finals, although she did win Wimbledon. Been playing for over 20 years.
