Day Captures Junior Crown At US Open
After reaching the second round of the main draw as a wildcard, Kayla Day went even farther in the junior event, winning her first Grand Slam title over Viktoria Kuzmova.
After reaching the second round of the main draw as a wildcard, Kayla Day went even farther in the junior event, winning her first Grand Slam title over Viktoria Kuzmova.
DALIAN, China – Kristyna Pliskova took home the biggest trophy in her young career on Sunday, outlasting Misa Eguchi as the Japanesewoman was forced to retire with a left knee injury, 7-5, 4-6, 2-5, ret.
Watch free live streaming from Dalian 125K all week right here!
As Pliskova’s twin sister Karolina fought her way into her first Grand Slam final at the US Open, the big-serving Czech star made a final of her own at the WTA 125K Series event. Up against Eguchi, the No.7 seed, Pliskova was two points from defeat when Eguchi was stricken by a left knee injury.
Eguchi attempted to play on, but was later taken off court in a stretcher a few points later.
For Pliskova, the title is nonetheless a high point as it helps her re-enter the Top 100 with her first WTA singles title of any kind; she and Karolina previously partnered up to win three WTA doubles titles.
More to come…
The singles champion has been crowned in New York. Now it’s time for the doubles hardware to be handed out! Chris Oddo previews Sunday’s doubles final right here at wtatennis.com.
Day 14
Doubles Final
[1] Caroline Garcia (FRA #3) / Kristina Mladenovic (FRA #4) vs. [12] Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA #16) / Lucie Safarova (CZE #42)
Head-to-head: Garcia and Mladenovic lead, 1-0
Key Stat: Mladenovic and Garcia snapped Mattek-Sands and Safarova’s 8-match winning streak in this year’s Charleston final.
France’s dynamic duo of Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic will seek its second Grand Slam title of the year while Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Lucie Safarova will look to claim their third major title of the last two seasons in Sunday’s US Open Women’s Doubles final. Garcia and Mladenovic are currently No.3 and No.4 respectively in the WTA’s double rankings, but they are playing like they have their eyes on the No.1 ranking here in the Big Apple. In their first season as a full-time team the pair are in the midst of a career season that has seen them go on a 16-match winning streak and earn four trophies, including an emotional run to the Roland Garros title where they became the first French team to win in Paris since 1971. The Frenchwomen became the second team to qualify for the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global earlier this week and they have not skipped a beat since. Garcia and Mladenovic have defeated the WTA’s No.1 and No.2 ranked doubles players in the last two rounds, notching wins over No.7-seeded Sania Mirza and Barbora Strycova in the quarterfinals before taking out No.6-seeded Martina Hingis and CoCo Vandeweghe in the semifinals. And they’ve yet to drop a set all fortnight.
Their opponents should be their toughest test to date, however. Two-time major champions Mattek-Sands and Safarova have finally located their missing mojo in New York. After falling in the first round at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, they have snapped a four-match losing streak as a team en route to their third Grand Slam final and first at the US Open. They defeated 2014 US Open champions Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina in the semifinals, and have gone 5-1 in finals as a team overall. Can Mattek-Sands and Safarova, reunited after a long hiatus due to Safarova’s health concerns and individual Olympic preparations, ride the emotional wave to a third major title? Or will Les Bleus have another crowning moment on the Grand Slam stage?
Pick: Mattek-Sands and Safarova in three
By the Numbers:
1 – Only one all-French duo has reached the final at Flushing Meadows (Chanfreau/Durr were runners-up in 1970). Garcia and Mladenovic are bidding to be the first all-French champions.
5-1 – Safarova and Mattek-Sands’ record in finals as a team. They won their first five finals before falling to Garcia and Mladenovic in the Charleston final.
19 – Mattek-Sands owns more doubles than any of the other three finalists. She’s bidding for her 20th title today. Mladenovic owns 16 titles, Safarova owns 9 and Garcia has won 6.
NEW YORK, NY, USA – Angelique Kerber marked her coronation as the WTA’s new No.1 by defusing Karolina Pliskova in an absorbing US Open final.
Showing all the qualities that have made her 2016’s standout performer, Kerber rallied from 3-1 down in the final set to collect her second Grand Slam trophy.
“I think it’s amazing what I did this year, and I’m really so happy and so proud about everything – my team, my game, the improvements to my game,” Kerber said afterwards. “Being here with my second [Grand Slam] trophy is the best feeling ever.”
Hear what else Kerber had to say on her latest triumph, as well as comment from gallant runner-up Pliskova in the latest Daily Dispatch:
Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn or on any podcast app of your choice to ensure you never miss an episode when they go live. Reviews are always helpful, so if you like what you’ve heard so far, leave us one. You can also get new episode alerts by following us on Twitter @WTA_Insider.
Follow @WTA_Insider
An action-packed fortnight at the US Open concluded with a final clash between Angelique Kerber and Karolina Pliskova.
After setting the stage with an impressive show and fighter-jet flyover, it was time for the finalists to take to the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Angelique Kerber walked out with the knowledge that when the new rankings came out on Monday, she’d be the new WTA World No.1.
But she had some business to take care of first, in the form of No.10 seed Karolina Pliskova.
Kerber was in search of a second Grand Slam title, after claiming the Australian Open and reaching the Wimbledon final earlier this year.
But Pliskova was on an 11-match winning streak, including wins over Serena Williams and Venus Williams earlier in the Open.
Kerber took the lead in the first set…
…But Pliskova roared back in the second.
Pliskova led by a break in the third set, but the World No.1 fought it off and secured a 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 victory.
Kerber collapsed to the ground in elation, becoming the first German since Steffi Graf to win the US Open title.
After a show of good sportsmanship at the net…
…Kerber ran into the stands to celebrate with her team, including her coach Torben Beltz.
Pliskova had previously won against Kerber in the Cincinnati final, but couldn’t do it again at the US Open.
The finalists were presented with their trophies…
And Kerber’s childhood dream of winning the US Open trophy came true.
It was a great performance from Pliskova, who’d previously never been past the third round of a Slam.
And it was a great fortnight for the new World No.1, who’s getting used to posing with trophies at the end of Grand Slams.
Congratulations Angelique Kerber on a second Grand Slam title!
After the world was done holding its breath throughout a tense final, the tweets came pouring in for US Open champion Angelique Kerber and finalist Karolina Pliskova.
Check out some of the best tweets, right here on wtatennis.com!
First up, here from the woman herself, who took time from her various post-win duties to post this celebratory message:
US OPEN CHAMPION!!! WOW, I DID IT!!! pic.twitter.com/YpWv5A7jaM
— Angelique Kerber (@AngeliqueKerber) September 10, 2016
Some of Germany’s biggest sports stars at home and abroad took to Twitter to celebrate Kerber’s achievement, including NBA star Dirk Nowitzki, F1 pilot Nico Rosberg and a whole host of World Cup winning soccer players.
Angieeeee. Wahnsinn.
— Dirk Nowitzki (@swish41) September 10, 2016
Good luck for the final, Angelique!! ✊?✊? ??? Viel Glück, du schaffst das!!! #tennis #usopen #no1 @AngeliqueKerber pic.twitter.com/2Ux7P6XZ5q
— Nico Rosberg (@nico_rosberg) September 9, 2016
?????? Gratulation @AngeliqueKerber. Gratulation an die Nummer 1 der Welt! Wow
— Toni Kroos (@ToniKroos) September 10, 2016
A fantastic year: 2 Grand Slams, Olympic silver medallist, new World No. 1! Congrats, @AngeliqueKerber ???? #USOpen pic.twitter.com/E9TPYkfrxv
— Basti Schweinsteiger (@BSchweinsteiger) September 10, 2016
Yessss! @AngeliqueKerber #USOpen ????????? Congratulations!
— Maria Höfl-Riesch (@Maria) September 10, 2016
Of course, the WTA’s stars and legends were also tuned in to the final, and they had plenty of words for both of the finalists after the match.
Here are the best messages from Kerber and Pliskova’s WTA peers:
Congratulations @AngeliqueKerber on your @usopen championship & being the new #1 player in the world. @WTA
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) September 10, 2016
Congrats @AngeliqueKerber ??! And @KaPliskova for an amazing #USOpen so proud of you?
— Kristina Mladenovic (@KikiMladenovic) September 10, 2016
What an amazing week for @AngeliqueKerber ! Number 1 and #USOpen Champion ?? Congratulations!???? @usopen pic.twitter.com/WrieS6X8hZ
— Gabriela Sabatini (@sabatinigabyok) September 10, 2016
Congrats @AngeliqueKerber 4 your 1st @usopen title & n° #1 ranking @WTA,but so impressed by @KaPliskova @FilaTennis pic.twitter.com/PByoi32r0O
— Marion bartoli (@bartoli_marion) September 10, 2016
Congrats to @AngeliqueKerber ?Started the year #10 & made a great career, phenomenal in 9 months!!!??#1????
— Tracy Austin (@thetracyaustin) September 10, 2016
A big congrats to @AngeliqueKerber on her 2nd major of the year AND becoming the worlds #1. It's a feat only a few have accomplished….??
— rennae stubbs (@rennaestubbs) September 10, 2016
So much valuable experience 4 @KaPliskova @usopen This just beginning.Belief behind powerful groundies & serve✅Getting stronger✅Major-soon.
— Tracy Austin (@thetracyaustin) September 11, 2016
Congrats @AngeliqueKerber for an amazing #USOpen brava ragazza!!!?
— Flavia Pennetta (@flavia_pennetta) September 11, 2016
Kerber ☝ #fav
— Daria Gavrilova (@Daria_gav) September 10, 2016
Amazing from both girls. @AngeliqueKerber that's why your now the world no1 ?
— Melanie South (@melaniesouth) September 10, 2016
Wow wow wow what a season @AngeliqueKerber ?! 2 slams ??, the olympic silver medal?, new world number one ☝, that's pretty cool!!! #congrats
— Alize Cornet (@alizecornet) September 11, 2016
NEW YORK, NY, USA – Angelique Kerber capped off her rise to WTA World No.1 by winning her first US Open title, edging past No.10 seed Karolina Pliskova, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.
“It’s just amazing. I won my second Grand Slam of the year and it’s the best year of my career,” Kerber said after the match.
“For me everything started here in 2011,” she added, referring to when she made the semifinals ranked No.92. “And now here, five years later I’m standing here with the trophy. All the dreams came true this year.”
Pliskova, who was contesting the first Grand Slam final of her career, opened the match looking a bit nervy, hitting four unforced errors in her first service game – including a wild forehand volley at the net. She broke a string just as Kerber broke her serve, and the German consolidated to build up a 2-0 lead.
But now with a couple of games in the bag, both players began to settle into the match and bring out the sparring tennis they’ve produced in their past seven encounters. Kerber defending the ball well then found open court with her famously consistent ground strokes, keeping Pliskova on the run. For her part, the Czech took advantage of Kerber’s short balls and pounced on her second serve, but the loose errors proved to be her undoing as Kerber broke again to take the first set.
New World No.☝️ with her new @USOpen ?! pic.twitter.com/nFwbzkBrIx
— WTA (@WTA) September 10, 2016
More to come…
WTA Insider | In the latest WTA Insider Live Blog, keep up with all the action as Angelique Kerber takes on Karolina Pliskova for the US Open title.
NEW YORK, NY, USA – Andy Roddick has had a lot to say throughout the 2016 US Open.
The former ATP No.1 and 2017 International Tennis Hall Of Fame Nominee – alongside Kim Clijsters – partnered with Chase to launch the #MasterTheOpen series on Periscope, where he broadcasts his signature mix of incisive and humorous commentary live each day at the Open.
Weighing in on the upcoming women’s final between new World No.1 Angelique Kerber and Western & Southern Open champion Karolina Pliskova, the 2003 US Open champion had this to say:
Kerber vs. Pliskova women's finals analysis at the #USOpen pic.twitter.com/M4N1qRqwGh
— andyroddick (@andyroddick) September 9, 2016
Stay tuned for the Saturday’s final at 4pm EST / 9pm BST!
DALIAN, China – No.7 seed Misa Eguchi outlasted Grace Min in a two-hour and twenty minute marathon match to reach the final at the Dalian Women’s Tennis Open, where she’ll face the unseeded Kristyna Pliskova for a shot at the title.
Watch free live streaming from Dalian 125K all week right here!
After dropping the first set to the Japanese No.7 seed, Min – the author of yesterday’s big upset of top seed Qiang Wang – roared back in the second, edging past Eguchi in the tiebreaker to force a deciding set. After weathering a two-hour rain delay, the Japanese player righted the ship in the final set, powering past Min to book a spot in the final.
Her opponent in the Dalian Women’s Tennis Open final will be the 24-year-old Kristyna Pliskova. Pliskova, ranked No.122, will arrive into the match feeling quite rested as her opponent Han Xinyun was forced to retire just 36 minutes into the match, with Pliskova leading 4-1.
Eguchi leads the head to head against Pliskova, notching a straight sets win over the Czech in their only previous encounter back in 2014. But the pair haven’t played at the WTA-level since, and Eguchi will have to contend with Pliskova’s biggest weapon: her powerful, record-setting serve.
ブログ更新！
普通に書いたけど、よく考えたら1回戦プリちゃんだったんだよね。恐るべし大連 シングルス準決勝 https://t.co/0JQ4VPqDVp
— Misa Eguchi / 江口実沙 (@misa_eguchi) September 10, 2016