Pliskova Shocks Serena to Meet New World Number One Kerber for U.S. Open Title

American Serena Williams was defeated 6-2, 7-6(5) in the semifinals of the U.S. Open by the 10th-seeded Karolina Pliskova. The loss not only knocked Serena out of the U.S. Open, but also the world number one spot as with Serena’s loss, Angelique Kerber will become the new WTA world number one when the updated WTA Women’s Singles Rankings are released on Monday.

Pliskova came into the match on a 10 match winning streak, dating back to a title run in Cincinnati at last month’s Western & Southern Open. Pliskova, who defeated Venus Williams earlier in the week in the Round of 16, became only the third woman to beat both Venus and Serena at the U.S. Open.

“It was always a dream to get a title, get to the semifinal, and get to the final. It's a big result for me,” said Pliskova. “There is still one more step to go. I'll do anything for getting the title. Even if I don't get it, it's a big result. I'm really happy to be here and even have the chance to play in the final here. It doesn't happen often to play in the semifinals against Serena on center court here in New York. It doesn't happen often that you're in the final of a Grand Slam.”

Serena was looking to become the first woman in the Open Era to win 23 Grand Slam singles titles. Serena was playing her second consecutive day, after a two-plus-hour win over the fifth-seeded Simona Halep on Wednesday.

“I wasn't tired from yesterday's match. I'm a professional player … have been playing for over 20 years,” said Serena. “If I can't turn around after 24 hours and play again, then I shouldn't be on the tour. So I definitely wasn't tired from yesterday's match at all. It wasn't a five-hour match. I practiced for three hours, so it wasn't that huge of a deal.”

Up next for Pliskova in the finals is the new world number one Kerber, a 6-4, 6-3 winner over Caroline Wozniacki Thursday night under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium.

“It’s just incredible … it’s a great day,” said Kerber on-court after defeating Wozniacki. “I was focusing on this match and to be here in the finals and number one in the world has been amazing. To be playing Saturday here is amazing and I look forward to playing here again.”

Pliskova and Kerber have met seven times in their career, with Kerber holding a slight 4-3 advantage. Key wins for Kerber in the head-to-heads include in the finals at the 2015 Bank of the West Classic in Stanford, Calif. and again in 2015 at the 2015 Aegon Classic in Birmingham, England. Their last meeting took place just last month, a title win by Pliskova in the finals of the 2016 Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati.

“I will try to take the revenge against her,” said Kerber of her attempt to avenge her recent loss to Pliskova in Cincinnati. “She has a big serve and had a big four weeks now. I will just go out and enjoy my first U.S. Open final and win the match of course.”

Kerber becomes just the second German to ever play in the U.S. Open finals after Steffi Graff achieved the feat on eight occasions between 1987 and 1996.

With the loss, Serena lost grip of the top spot atop the WTA Women’s Singles Rankings, a distinction Serena held for 186 consecutive weeks, since Feb. 18, 2013. At 186 consecutive weeks, Serena’s grip on the top spot ties the Open Era record for most consecutive weeks at number one, held by Steffi Graf.

"Congratulations to Angelique on this remarkable accomplishment of becoming the WTA world number one," said WTA CEO Steve Simon. "It is extremely difficult to reach the pinnacle of our sport, and Angelique has demonstrated amazing work ethic in the past year. Her outstanding results reflect this, and she truly deserves to be the new WTA world number one.”

At 28-years-old, Kerber becomes only the second German woman to achieve this historic milestone since computer rankings were introduced in 1975, and the first since Graf spent the last of her record 377 weeks at number one in March 1997.

'

New world number one Angelique Kerber defeated Caroline Wozniacki Thursday night to advance to the finals of the 2016 U.S. Open