Angelique Kerber added the title in New York to the Australian Open crown she won in January to seal her status as the new WTA world number one in style. Kerber was assured of the rankings top spot after her final opponent, Karolina Pliskova, beat outgoing number one Serena Williams in the semi-finals, but the German became a two-time major winner with a three set victory on Saturday.
Czech Pliskova was in outstanding form, entering the final on an eleven match winning streak, but had never made it further than the third round of a Grand Slam before this fortnight in New York. Kerber on the other hand, was playing in her third Slam final of the year, having beaten Williams in Melbourne before losing to her at Wimbledon.
Pliskova leads the WTA tour this year for most aces with 451, but was broken in her opening service game as the German looked to extend the points and dominate in lengthy rallies. The pair then repeatedly held serve until the Czech was serving to stay in the first set and Kerber hit a forehand winner down the line to win it 6-3 in forty minutes.
At 3-3 in the second set, Pliskova took her chance. Hitting a great lob at the net to covert her fifth break-point and take the lead. After hitting 17 unforced errors to loose the first set, he Czech hit 17 winners as she levelled up the match at one set all, Kerber loosing her first set of the tournament.
As the match entered the final set, only the third women's US Open final to go the distance in the last 21 years, there remained little to separate the players. Pliskova continued to win shorter rallies and Kerber dominated the longer points. Ultimately, it came down to which player could hold their nerve as the set reached 4-4. Kerber was rock solid as she held serve, while Pliskova slipped 0-40 behind before missing a forehand wide on match point as the German won 6-3 4-6 6-4.
Speaking after the match, Kerber said "It means a lot to me. When I was a kid, I was always dreaming to be the number one player in the world and to win Grand Slams, and today's the day." "All my dreams came true today and I'm just trying to enjoy the moment. It's incredible. I'm standing here with a second Grand Slam trophy and it means so much to me."
The win sees Kerber become only the second German to win the women's US Open after Steffi Graff and become only the second women not named Williams to win two Grand Slams in one year, the other being Justine Henin in 2007. Pliskova will reach a career-high of number six when the new rankings are released.