US Open final preview: Pliskova v Kerber

They are two players making their debut in the US Open final, but their situations could not be more different. Angelique Kerber goes into her third Major final of 2016 knowing that, whatever happens, she is the new world No.1. Karolina Pliskova, meanwhile, has never made it beyond the third round of a Slam, but will take confidence from her win over Kerber in Cincinnati just two weeks ago. In short, tomorrow’s US Open final should be an intriguing affair.

Karolina Pliskova [10] v Angelique Kerber [2]

H2H: Kerber leads 4-3
Hard court H2H: Kerber leads 3-2
Last meeting: Pliskova d. Kerber 6-3 6-1 (Cincinnati 2016)
Pliskova US Open best: 3R 2014
Kerber US Open best: Semifinal 2011, 2016

What Pliskova needs to do to win: Stay calm. That Karolina Pliskova came out and executed her game plan against Serena Williams in what was, at the time, the biggest match of her career bodes well for the Czech star. It showed that she could manage her nerves against the toughest opponent – and crowd – in tennis. Can she do it again? A debut Major final can play on both the mind and form of even the most composed players.

If she does manage to stay calm and play her game, in a strange way she might well be considered the favourite going into this match. For starters, she has the comfort of knowing that she beat (an albeit exhausted) Kerber just two weeks ago. She also has such a big arsenal of weapons that if she can dial them in and not let the occasion get to her, she can make it very hard for the German.

RELATED: Kerber eyeing Pliskova revenge

What Kerber needs to do to win: Come out swinging. Even though this will be her first US Open Grand Slam final, Angelique Kerber has the upper hand on her opponent: she’s been in two Slam finals already this year (and knows what it takes to win one). If the new world No.1 can get out of the blocks quickly and steal an early break or two (as she did against Wozniacki), the combination of the occasion and scoreboard pressure may well neutralise her opponents weapons.

If, however, Pliskova comes out swinging, Kerber has to play a similar game to the one that has propelled her to the top of the tennis world. Pliskova can hit big, but so can Kerber. What the German also has in her armoury is the ability to mix the points up and disrupt the rhythm of her rangy opponent. If she can do that, she could cap off a stellar month with a second Grand Slam title.