Germany's Angelique Kerber began her reign as world number one in imperious style battling past a determined Karolina Pliskova 6-3 4-6 6-4 to win the U.S. Open final and claim her second grand slam title of the year.
Germany's Angelique Kerber celebrates. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Kerber, who will officially take over from Serena Williams as the world's top ranked player tomorrow, underlined her number one status displaying the heart of a champion as she fought off a fierce challenge from Czech 10th seed Pliskova on a steamy Arthur Ashe Stadium court.
"It's just amazing," a beaming Kerber told an adoring crowd. "I won my second grand slam in one year. That's the best of my career.
"Actually just incredible.
"When I was a kid I was always dreaming to be the number one player in the world and win grand slams and today is the day I won my second grand slam here, especially in New York. I'm the number one player on Monday.
"All the dreams came true this year."
Pliskova, who arrived at Flushing Meadows with the 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 going toe-to-toe with second seed Kerber for just over two hours of suspenseful, high-quality tennis.
Kerber began the grand slam year winning her first major at the Australia Open and ended with a U.S. Open title to go along with a runner-up finish at Wimbledon.
-Reuters
