Angelique Kerber wins first US Open title after beating Karolina Pliskova

Angelique Kerber won her first US Open title after beating Karolina Pliskova in three sets in New York.

The German, who was assured of becoming world No 1 this week ending Serena Williams' record-tying 186-week stay at the top, lifted her second major title of the season with the 6-3 4-6 6-4 victory on Saturday.

She trailed by a break at 3-1 in the third set before taking five of the last six games against 10th seed Pliskova, who had not been past the third round at a major until this tournament.

Kerber beat Williams for the Australian Open title in January, then lost to her in the Wimbledon final in July, with Pliskova eliminating the American in the semi-finals here after beating her sister, Venus, in the fourth round.

"Amazing to win a second Grand Slam in one year," Kerber said. "It's the best year of my career.

"It all started for me here in New York five years ago when I reached the semi-finals and now I am here with the trophy," she added. "It's incredible."

Pliskova double-faulted on the match's first point and got broken from the start, making 17 unforced errors in the first set alone, 14 more than Kerber.

There were plenty of lengthy exchanges in the first set and Kerber tended to get the better of them, winning nine of 14 points that lasted at least 10 strokes.

On one that went 15 shots, Pliskova tried a drop shot that Kerber sprinted to reach before scooping a down-the-line forehand winner to a corner. The Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd roared and Kerber celebrated by raising her right hand and wagging her index finger in the air as she took the opening set.

However, Pliskova hung in and, after frittering away her first four break points of the match, she converted her fifth with a lob-volley winner that curled over Kerber and fell right by the baseline to lead 4-3 as she forced a final set.

As they went to the third set, both women began showing more emotion. Pliskova served out the second set and spiked a ball. Kerber got broken early in the third and bounced her racket off the court. Moments later, the German trailed 3-1.

But this was Kerber's turn to show some mettle, breaking back to 3-3 and then once again to seal the victory.