Angelique Kerber Wins First US Open Title

Pliskova will now face either Kerber or Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki in her first grand slam final on Saturday.

She’ll thus have to wait to become the first player in the Open Era to win 23 majors – Williams is now tied with Steffi Graf on 22.

Until now, the big-serving Czech, who had climbed to No 7 in the rankings last August, has been a grand slam mystery of sorts, never progressing beyond the third round in 17 main draw appearances despite boasting one of the most fearsome serves on the WTA Tour.

“Karolina played great today”, she said.

Karolina Pliskova gave a big shock to world number player Serena Williams.

While she knows she’ll feel the nerves of her first major final, Pliskova has already weathered the hostile crowds on Arthur Ashe stadium in her victories over the Williams sisters and says she’s ready for anything.

Williams said she was carrying a knee injury but conceded that her opponent was better than her. “So I definitely wasn’t exhausted from yesterday’s match at all”. “I just blame that on just mentally thinking about my leg and just not thinking about the shot”. “I think she’s proud of me to be the next one after her”.

Williams opened the contest with an ace but in the end it was the American’s serve that ultimately let her down as she committed six double faults, including the deciding point in the tiebreak.

Wozniacki, whose run was her best at a major since reaching the 2014 decider at Flushing Meadows, committed 26 unforced errors. So it’s something really special for me, because I was dreaming for this No 1′.

For years there has been no one – who has managed to reach close enough to the American but now this year Kerber has finally stepped up as a challenger.

The left-handed German struck three more times to eventually wrap up a 6-4 6-3 victory in NY to reach her third Major final of 2016. I always knew I had a chance to beat anyone if I play my game. Even in the second set there was some complications. “Now after I can relax a little bit and try and enjoy this special night today”, Kerber added.

Williams, who practices every day, and noted that she had no problem with daily tournament play, adamently stated that the two matches within two days had nothing to do with her loss.

But a cool Pliskova would not buckle and earned the victory when Williams double faulted.

“So I really believe now that I can beat good players, and all of the players, actually, now”.