After coming so close at the Cincinnati Open, Angelique Kerber has finally ended Serena Williams’ 186-week reign as world No.1 at the US Open.
Becoming the oldest female tennis player in history to debut at world No.1, Kerber sealed her new position after Serena Williams crashed out in the semifinals to Karolina Pliskova. It is the second consecutive year that Williams has suffered heartbreak in the last four in flushing Meadows following her loss to Roberta Vinci last year.
“It feels amazing.” The new world No.1 said. “It feels just great. I mean, the day came today, and to be now the No. 1 in the world, that was always a dream for me.”
“I was trying to not thinking too much the last few weeks about this, and now I reach it. So it’s something really special for me because I was dreaming for this No. 1.”
Kerber booked her place in the US Open final after downing Caroline Wozniacki 6-4, 6-3, in a relatively straightforward encounter. The 28-year-old will now be bidding to win her second major title of the season after the Australian Open.
Saturday’s upcoming match will be Kerber’s seventh final this year in what has been a breakthrough season on the tour. Speaking about her 2016 surge, Kerber has said that the development of her mental game has enhanced her performance. This was evident during her match against Wozniacki where she remained composed despite the No.1 position hanging in the balance.
“It was not so easy to go then to court, because I knew that if Serena lost, of course, I will be the No. 1. So it was not so easy mentally, but I was trying to, again, not putting too much pressure on myself.” She said.
“That also shows me that I think I’m growing and I’m not putting the pressure on my shoulders if something like this happen.”
After reaching the top position for the first time in her career, the next task for the German will be trying to win her first US Open title. Standing in Kerber’s way is Pliskova, a player who defeated her in straight sets in last months Cincinnati Open. The upcoming encounter will be a tough match for Kerber, but she is hoping to learn from her previous mistakes against the Czech player.
“I think my serve have to be very good. I have to move good, as well, to bring a lot of balls back, and playing also more aggressive like I played in Cincinnati. I was just pushing too much the balls there, so I think I will change this a little bit.” Kerber said about her tactics for the final.
Kerber is the 22nd player in history to claim the No.1 position on the WTA Tour. She is her country’s first No.1 since Steffi Graf in March 1997.
