By Erik Gudris | Thursday, September 8, 2016
Angelique Kerber, just after knowing she would rise to World No. 1, booked her place in the US Open final.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Angelique Kerber, even after knowing she would become World No. 1, kept her focus as she reached the US Open final on Thursday night.
US Open: Pliskova Stops Serena
"To be number one in the world sounds amazing. So thank you for the support,” Kerber told the US Open crowd just after her semifinal win.
The 28-year-old Kerber, the Australian Open winner, waited in the wings as Karolina Pliskova defeated Serena Williams in the first semifinal. That result meant that Kerber will rise to the WTA top ranking next week.
Still, Kerber had a job to do as she faced off against Caroline Wozniacki in the second semfinal of the evening.
Wozniacki, a two-time US Open finalist and former No.1 herself, entered the semifinal playing some of the best tennis of her season to reach the final four. Yet, once again, Kerber produced the kind of stirring tennis that has now taken her to the heights of the women’s game.
Kerber raced out to a 4-0 lead in the opening set as Wozniacki could only manage to win five points in the early games.
Wozniacki, however, wasn’t ready to back down. The former No. 1, after holding serve to get her first game, took another game after Kerber double faulted on break point.
Wozniacki managed to pull within a game at 4-3. But Kerber responded by again showing the strong form she has all season.
Kerber eventually closed out the first set 6-4.
Kerber took control early in the second set by securing yet another early service break. While Wozniacki tried again to keep close, the constant solid, consistent play of Kerber proved too much.
Kerber jumped out to a 5-1 lead and looked poised to end the match early. However, Wozniacki responded by breaking Kerber when the German served for the match the first time.
The ending was inevitable though as Kerber soon closed out the match 6-4, 6-3 a few games later.
Kerber on Monday will become the only second German woman after Steffi Graf to reach the WTA top ranking. Kerber is also the oldest player to make her debut at No. 1 as well.
Kerber will now seek her first ever US Open title against Karolina Pliskova on Saturday.