German Angelique Kerber with her maiden US Open trophy she won defeating Karolina Pliskova on Saturday. Image Source: twitter[/caption]Internet Desk: German Angelique Kerber won her maiden US Open title by defeating Karolina Pliskova in straight sets at the Flushing Meadows on Saturday.The stage was set for the Australian Open Champion Kerber as she conquered the big serving Karolina Pliskova in the final in style.
Kerber’s match was on the line when she was down with a break in the third set against Pliskova , but she fought back in style by winning last 24 out of 34 points of the deciding set and became the new US Open Champion 2016 by beating Pliskova 6-3,4-6,6-4 .The 28 year old German , who will replace Serena Williams as the oldest world No1 on Monday , picked up her game on Saturday and surpassed Pliskova in 2 hrs and 7 minutes.
Pliskova, who had never passed the third round in all her previous Grand Slam attempts stunned everyone by beating World No 1 Serena Williams in the semi finals on Thursday . But the 6ft1inch tall Czech girl was not up to the mark against Kerber’s long rallies in the final and lost her momentum.
It was a memorable night for Kerber, who took up tennis at age three. She won her first Grand Slam title winning the Australian Open at the begining of the year. Eight months later she is on top of WTA rankings.
Kerber finished last year ranked 10th in the world and turned dreams into a reality this year after rededicating herself.
“I was really trying to improve a lot of things,” she explained following her 6-3 4-6 6-4 triumph after falling a break down in the third set.
“First of all, my fitness and then to being more aggressive and go for it when I have the chance. Not just hitting the balls over the net.
“And also, mentally, to being more positive, a little bit more stronger, and just focusing on the moment I am on court.”
Kerber said improving her fitness laid the foundation.
“I’m really trying to play more intense when I practice … and spending a lot of hours as well in the gym or just making a lot of sprints and movement.
“I felt this was one of the biggest things, when you know you can run forever on court and you’re not worried that you can play three sets. I think this is really important for your confidence and you can go for it.”
Long regarded as a top defensive player, Kerber reaped the benefits of her makeover in the very first major of the year, reaching the Australian Open final and beating Serena Williams for her maiden major. She was runner-up to Williams again at Wimbledon, and claimed silver at the Rio Olympics.
Kerber said if you believe in your fitness, you believe in yourself. “That gives you a lot of confidence when you know you work very hard. It was just the next step to beat the best players.”
Kerber said she turned aggressive and took her chance at a critical moment against Pliskova after breaking the Czech back to level the third set 3-3. She finished the match by winning the last eight points, breaking Pliskova at love.
Kerber said the enormity of winning her second slam of the year and attaining world number one would probably not sink in until a quiet moment after she boarded her flight home.
“You have to believe in your dreams. You have to go with a lot of patience,” she said.
Asked what she might pass on to her children one day about achieving their dreams, Kerber said. “I think I will show a few videos to my children in a few years.
“And I don’t know, just tell them, just believe in yourself and do what you really love.”
The win made Kerber only the second German women to win the Championship, after five times US Open Champion Steffi Graff.
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