Germany's Angelique Kerber backed
up her status as the new world number one with a thrilling win over
Czech Karolina Pliskova in the US Open final.
Kerber, 28, won 6-3 4-6 6-4 in New York to add the US Open to her victory at the Australian Open in January.
Pliskova's semi-final win over Serena Williams had already ensured the German will top the new rankings on Monday.
"All my dreams came true today and I'm just trying to enjoy the moment," said Kerber.
"It's incredible. I'm standing here with a second Grand Slam trophy and it means so much to me."
Kerber
was appearing in her third Grand Slam final of 2016, and the German
played with the authority of a world number one in waiting.
Pliskova,
24, went into the final with a WTA Tour-leading 447 aces this year and
on an 11-match winning streak that included victory over Kerber in last
month's Cincinnati final.
The Czech had never been past the third
round of a major before this tournament and made 17 unforced errors in
the first set, but fought back with 17 winners in the second before
powering 3-1 ahead in the decider.
Kerber won in Australia and the US, and finished runner-up at Wimbledon.
It
looked as though Kerber' athleticism and defensive skills would not be
enough, but she levelled at 3-3 and then roared as a blistering
forehand winner helped her move ahead once again.
At 4-4 in the
final set it came down to a test of nerve, and Kerber's was rock solid
as she held impressively before Pliskova fell 0-40 behind and blazed a
forehand wide on match point.
"It's always tough to play against
her," said Kerber. "I was trying to stay in the moment, be aggressive, I
was just trying to enjoy the final. It's an amazing stadium.
"It
means a lot to me. When I was a kid, I was always dreaming to be the
number one player in the world and to win Grand Slams, and today's the
day."
Pliskova said: "I found out I can play my best tennis on the
big stages. She proved she's the world number one. I knew it was going
to be difficult, but I found myself some power in the second set."
Kerber
is the first German to win the US Open since Steffi Graf in 1996 and
her ascent to the top of the rankings is the result of a spectacular
year.
She began 2016 ranked 10th in the world after failing to get
past the third round of any of the Grand Slams in 2015, but Saturday
saw her claim a Tour-best 54th win of 2016.
Kerber won her first
major titles in Australia and the US, as well as reaching the Wimbledon
final, where she lost to Williams, and the Olympic final, where she lost
to Monica Puig.
The German began the season with a shock win over
Williams in Melbourne, which was only possible after she had saved a
match point against Japan's Misaki Doi in the first round.
Kerber headed into the stands to celebrate with coach Torben Beltz
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