Kerber's crown a long time coming

12 September 2016 - 10:14 By Reuters

Angelique Kerber climaxed a dream season at the US Open on Saturday, performing as the champion she has become through hard work, patience and a love of the game.Kerber wiped tears of joy and relief from her eyes before accepting a winner's cheque for $3.5-million and a silver trophy after fighting back to beat Karolina Pliskova in a display worthy of the new No 1 player in women's tennis.The 28-year-old German second seed will become the oldest player to rise to that rank when the new list is published today, but Kerber can wait, as her patient climb to the top has proven.She took up tennis at age three, but did not win her first significant junior title until she was 15.She turned professional and another dozen years passed before her first grand slam title at this year's Australian Open. Eight months later brought her to world No 1Kerber finished last year ranked 10th in the world and turned dreams into a reality this year after rededicating herself."I was really trying to improve a lot of things," she explained following her 6-3 4-6 6-4 triumph after falling a break down in the third set."First of all, my fitness and then to being more aggressive and go for it when I have the chance. Not just hitting the balls over the net. And also, mentally, to being more positive, a little bit more stronger, and just focusing on the moment I am on court."Long regarded as a top defensive player, Kerber reaped the benefits of her makeover in the very first major of the year, reaching the Australian Open final and beating Serena Williams for her maiden major. She was runner-up to Williams again at Wimbledon, and claimed silver at the Rio Olympics.Kerber said she took her chance at a critical moment against Pliskova after breaking the Czech back to level the third set 3-3.She finished the match by winning the last eight points, breaking Pliskova to love...

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