Kerber Wins US Open for 2nd Major Title of Breakthrough Year

Kerber Wins US Open for 2nd Major Title of Breakthrough Year
Angelique Kerber, of Germany, returns a shot to Karolina Pliskova, of the Czech Republic, during the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, in New York. AP Photo/Julio Cortez
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NEW YORK—Early in what would become a tight test of a U.S. Open final, Angelique Kerber sprinted forward to somehow reach a drop shot and scoop a down-the-line winner that landed in a corner of the court.

The Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd roared, and Kerber celebrated by raising her right hand and wagging her index finger in the air, as if to remind opponent Karolina Pliskova—and everyone else— “I’m No. 1!”

Yes, she is. And a two-time Grand Slam champion, too.

Kerber won her first U.S. Open title and the second major trophy of an out-of-nowhere breakthrough season, taking five of the last six games to beat a fading Pliskova 6–3, 4-6, 6–4 on Saturday.

Angelique Kerber, of Germany during the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York on Sept. 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Angelique Kerber, of Germany during the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York on Sept. 10, 2016. AP Photo/Seth Wenig