Angelique Kerber lifts 2016 US Open title
What's the story
Angelique Kerber defeated Karolina Pliskova in the finals of the 2016 US Open winning her second Grand Slam title in 2016. After losing in the second set, she came back to win the match 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in a two hour seven minute match. The 28-year old said that 2016 has been the best year of her career with two Grand Slam titles.
Career Beginnings
Angelique Kerber
Angelique Kerber is a professional tennis player from Germany. She was born on 18 January 1988. She started playing tennis when she was three and practiced at her maternal grandfather's tennis academy, which he built especially for her. Kerber made her professional debut in 2003. However, her Grand Slam debut came in 2007, when she qualified for the French Open.
Rise and breakthrough
First US Open and Wimbledon semi-finals
Angelique Kerber had a steady and rising career after her Grand Slam debut. Her first breakthrough came when she reached the Grand Slam semi-finals at the 2011 US Open. Later in 2012, she also reached the Wimbledon semi-finals. With her victory over Serena Williams, Venus Williams and Kim Clijsters in different tournaments, she was ranked fifth in the world by the end of 2012.
2016
First Grand Slam title
Ending 2015 ranked number 10, she was seventh seeded at the Australian Open. She entered her first Grand Slam final by winning all her matches in straight sets, except for the first round. Kerber defeated defending champion and world number one Serena Williams to clinch her first Grand Slam title. With her win, she was ranked number two in the world.
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Wimbledon loss and Rio medal
At the 2016 Wimbledon Championship, Kerber reached the finals, only to be knocked down by Serena Williams in straight sets. Angelique won a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, playing for Germany.
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Kerber at the top of rankings
With a win at the US Open championships, Angelique Kerber will now replace Serena Williams for the number one spot in the WTA rankings. Her spot was assured when she beat Serena Williams in the semi-finals of the tournament.