New Delhi :Newly crowned US Open women’s champion Angelique Kerber can be hailed as the reigning queen of women’s tennis.
Kerber has cemented her spot at the top of the women’s rankings after her spirited victory over Karolina Pliskova in a pulsating grand finale played out at Flushing meadows on September 10.
The second seed, made a spirited comeback after being a break down in the third set to beat the big serving 10th-seeded Czech 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.
The German tennis ace added a second grand slam to her kitty after being crowned the Australian Open champion in January this year.
Ecstatic after her victory, Kerber said made the following comments –
“Amazing to win a second Grand Slam in one year,” Kerber said. “It’s the best year of my career. “It all started for me here in New York five years ago when I reached the semi-finals and now I am here with the trophy,” she added. “It’s incredible.” The 28-year-old left-hander, who beat Serena Williams in the final at Melbourne and lost to the US great in the Wimbledon final, will officially rise to world number one on Monday.
But she was assured of that spot when Pliskova toppled Williams in the semi-finals. “To be number one and win Grand Slam titles was always my dream ever since I was a little girl,” Kerber said. “It means so much.” Pliskova, who had never made it past the third round of a Grand Slam in 17 prior attempts, also beat Venus Williams en route to the title match, becoming just the fourth player to beat both Williams sisters in the same Grand Slam.
Pliskova was the first player to take a set off Kerber at Flushing Meadows. Her powerful groundstrokes had Kerber on the run at times, but her 47 unforced errors were, finally, too much to overcome despite her 40 winners.
When Pliskova’s final forehand sailed out, Kerber was launched on a joyous celebration, climbing into box where coach Torben Beltz was sitting then returning to the court where the tears flowed. Kerber took advantage of Pliskova’s big-match nerves — evidenced by a couple of misses at the net — to break in the opening game.
The quick advantage gave Kerber plenty of breathing room. She was able to maintain it with authoritative play from the baseline, fending off three break points before cracking Pliskova’s serve again when the Czech double-faulted to give her a set point. Kerber seized her chance with a forehand down the line to pocket the first frame in 44 minutes, having committed just three unforced errors.
PTI