Angelique Kerber beats Caroline Wozniacki to make US Open final as Serena Williams crashes out
Friday 9 September 2016 08:51, UK
New world No 1 Angelique Kerber eased into the US Open final with victory over Caroline Wozniacki but it was a night to forget for Serena Williams.
Williams suffered a shock defeat in Arthur Ashe Stadium by Karolina Pliskova to end her pursuit of a record-breaking 23rd Grand Slam title, as well as losing her status as the world's top player.
While Kerber celebrated her new ranking by brushing her Danish opponent aside with a 6-4 6-3 triumph, Williams said she was hampered by a knee injury on her quest to surpass Steffi Graf's Open-era record of 22 major wins.
Pliskova was in no mood for sympathy on and off the court though as she ruthlessly conquered the American 6-2 7-6 (7-5).
"I have been having some serious left knee problems," Williams said. "I wasn't able to move the way I wanted to move.
"When you're injured, you're thinking of other things when you should be just playing and thinking of your shots. My mind was just a little bit everywhere. But it was what it was."
Williams was reluctant to discuss how long the injury might affect her and the rest of her schedule this year but was adamant she was not affected by fatigue.
However, the night at Flushing Meadows ended up with a jubilant Kerber showing her class to dispose of Wozniacki.
With a third Grand Slam final of the year on the horizon for the German, who finished last year ranked 10th, couldn't be distracted despite realising her dream rise to the top of the world rankings.
Kerber, who beat Williams in Melbourne before losing to her in the final at Wimbledon, said: "I was watching the match a little bit before I came here but I was trying to focus on this match, not the match before.
"It's just incredible. It's a great day. To be here in the final for the first time, that means a lot. To be No 1 in the world, it sounds amazing."
"For me, it's just amazing to be after Steffi the next No 1 player in Germany," added Kerber, who at 28 will become the oldest player to become No 1.
"Steffi is a great champion, she's a great person. I think she's proud of me to be the next one after her."
Kerber will now go up against Pliskova in Saturday's final. The Czech star has never gone past the third round of a major tournament before and insists Williams' injury should not take the gloss off her achievement.
"I don't care," Pliskova said. "Sometimes it is like this. Even me, I'm sometimes not playing when I'm 100 per cent ready and I don't think others care.
"If someone is not ready and she doesn't think she is ready, she should not go on the court. But after the match I would say it's still her choice if she wants to play."
