US Open Women’s Final

This final was contested by two players who are both having the best years of their careers.  Both Angie Kerber and Karolina Pliskova had beaten Serena Williams on big stages.  Kerber was in her third grand slam final of the year shortly after earning a silver medal at the Olympics.  Pliskova was coming off her first premier event title and victories over several top 10 players.

Kerber started out the way she finished off Caroline Wozniaki – with error free tennis and a penetrating forehand.  Pliskova stumbled in the opening service game of the match and was playing catchup after that.  She finally yielded a second break to lose the first set.

In the second set Kerber’s game did not exactly return to earth, but it was in a lower orbit.  Pliskova started hitting harder, in recognition of the fact that rally balls were not going to earn her a victory.  Pliskova finally broke through and served out the second set.  In the third set those trends continued, and Pliskova got up a break.  All she had to do then was hold serve to win the title, and she has one of the best serves in tennis.

Unfortunately, a combination of nerves and heavy weather conditions then got to Pliskova.  She started missing first serves and groundies, and started doubling over with fatigue between points.  Kerber tolerated the conditions better and used her experience to break back, then break again for the title.

This was a fantastic match for both players.  Not only was it very well played, but it certainly secured player of the year honors for Kerber.  As for Pliskova, she made a big statement by getting to this final and competing so well.  Her task now is to do what Milos Raonic does so well on the men’s side – make sure she wins her early rounds and gives herself a chance late in majors.  If she does that she will certainly win one.