Kerber wins US Open title in thrilling finale

Angelique Kerber has overcome Karolina Pliskova in a stunning final to capture her first US Open title.

The No.2 seed beat the Grand Slam final debutant 6-3 4-6 6-4 to claim her second major trophy of 2016.

The title cements her rise to world No.1 – the German will take over from Serena Williams when the new WTA rankings are released on Monday.

“It’s just amazing,” Kerber said during the trophy presentation, where she accepted the winner’s cheque of $3.5 million.

“I’ve won my second Grand Slam in one year – it’s the best year. It’s just incredible. Everything started here for me in 2011 (when she reached her first Grand Slam semifinal) and now I’m here in 2016 with my second Grand Slam trophy. Thank you – it’s just so amazing.

“I was trying to stay in the moment and play my game and enjoy the final. It’s amazing with the roof and an amazing court.”

Kerber also reflected on becoming the new world No.1: “It means a lot to me. When I was a kid I was always dreaming to be No.1 and win Grand Slams. Today is the day. All of the dreams came true this year, and I’m just trying to enjoy every moment on and off the court.”

Kerber began perfectly against the visibly-nervous Czech, breaking in the opening game and building a 2-0 lead.

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It was a deficit the Czech would not recover from – despite holding break points in the second and fourth games, she could not convert to get the set back on level terms.

Kerber was rock-solid from the baseline, soaking up Pliskova’s power and refusing to cede her position on the baseline.

Pliskova was tempted into over-hitting, and obliged – she finished the set with 17 errors to three, and was broken again in the ninth game to surrender it 6-3.

The second set was a tenser affair, with Pliskova threatening Kerber’s serve on several occasions.

Kerber, the new world No.1, held firm, and kept her nose in front for much of the set.

That was until the seventh game, when a pumped-up Pliskova upped the pace and intensity of her groundstrokes and celebrated when she broke for the first time on her fifth break point of the match.

Just three games later, a Kerber hooked a forehand wide, and Pliskova had sent the match into a third.

Looking increasingly dangerous, Pliskova’s penetrating groundstrokes were finding their range.

A rattled Kerber surrendered her serve in the third game and Pliskova consolidated the break to push ahead 3-1.

But Kerber wasn’t done. Loosening up and playing more aggressively, she broke back in the sixth game to level at 3-3 and played a sensational forehand winner up the line on her way to a hold for 4-3.

Pliskova, increasingly fatigued, served to stay in the match trailing 4-5, but sprayed a succession of errors to hand Kerber victory.

Kerber has come into the match seeking revenge against the Czech after falling to Pliskova in the recent Cincinnati final, and she got it – after a breathtaking two-hour, seven-minute final.

“Definitely I find out I can play my best tennis on the biggest stages against the best players,” Pliskova said.

“Congratulations to Angie – she proved she is the world No.1. It was a great match and I was really honoured to play with you.

“I knew it would be difficult to play with her, but I found some power in the second set. Even though I couldn’t get the win I’m really proud of myself and the way I’ve played.

“I hope to play in many more finals to come.”