Newly minted world number one Angelique Kerber backed her latest feat with another Grand Slam title run. The German defeated first-time Slam finalist Karolina Pliskova 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 to win the US Open title. The win also ends the 11-match win streak of Pliskova spanning from the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati to the New York finale.
The new world number one has reached three Grand Slam finals this season – winning the Australian Open and US Open and reaching the final at Wimbledon. Kerber also won the silver medal at the Rio Olympics (l. to Monica Puig) and was also the finalist in Cincinnati (l. to Pliskova).
“When I was a kid, I was always dreaming to be No. 1 and to win Grand Slams,” said the emotional German on court after her victory.
“Everything started for me here in 2011,” she said, referring to her semifinal run in New York. “and now five years later I’m standing here.”
