Kerber is the first German to win the US Open since Steffi Graf in 1996

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.

Kerber won in Australia and the US, and finished runner-up at Wimbledon

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.

It looked as though Kerber's 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."

Media playback is not supported on this device US Open 2016: Winning tournament is incredible - Angelique Kerber

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.</s>The 28-year-old German -- who will rise from second to first in the rankings Monday, ahead of Serena Williams -- became the first female player other than Williams to win two majors in a season since Justine Henin in 2007.

Indeed it has been a stellar year for Kerber, who opened her grand slam account at the Australian Open by defeating Williams, made the final at Wimbledon -- losing to Williams -- and won silver at the Rio Olympics last month.

"When I was a kid I was always dreaming to be No. 1 and win grand slams," Kerber, a breakthrough artist at the US Open five years ago in reaching the semis, said during the trophy presentation. "All the dreams came true this year and I'm just trying to enjoy every moment on court and off court.

"Everything started here in 2011, and now I'm here in 2016 and I'm standing with the trophy, second grand slam trophy, and it means so much to me." Kerber won most of the big points in the first set-and-a-half against the tall, powerful Pliskova, who was appearing in a first grand slam final. But Pliskova broke late in the second and then led 3-1 in the third. Kerber broke back for 3-3 before Pliskova -- who has a tennis playing twin sister -- cracked at 4-5, getting broken to love in a flood of errors. Kerber fell to the court on a first match point when Pliskova's forehand -- which was inconsistent throughout -- sailed both wide and long. Later she picked up a check for $3.5 million. 🇩🇪🇩🇪🇩🇪! @AngeliqueKerber is the first German woman to win the #usopen since Steffi Graf in 1996. pic.twitter.com/Bg2PyL105x — US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2016 The Czech had become the first player in six years to beat Serena and Venus Williams -- who own a combined 29 singles majors -- at the same tournament but was unable to overcome the counter-punching Kerber three weeks after downing the left-hander in Cincinnati. "I was just happy that I took it to a third set and even though I couldn't get the win I'm really proud of myself, the way I was playing in the last two weeks," said Pliskova. "Hopefully many more finals to come." Prior to this fortnight, the 24-year-old had never been beyond the fourth round at a major despite being an established player the previous two seasons. "I found out that I could play my best tennis on the biggest stages against the top players," said Pliskova. The men's final will be decided Sunday, when world No. 1 Novak Djokovic plays No. 3 Stan Wawrinka.</s>The 28-year-old German -- who will rise from second to first in the rankings Monday, ahead of Serena Williams -- became the first female player other than Williams to win two majors in a season since Justine Henin in 2007.

Indeed it has been a stellar year for Kerber, who opened her grand slam account at the Australian Open by defeating Williams, made the final at Wimbledon -- losing to Williams -- and won silver at the Rio Olympics last month.

"When I was a kid I was always dreaming to be No. 1 and win grand slams," Kerber, a breakthrough artist at the US Open five years ago in reaching the semis, said during the trophy presentation. "All the dreams came true this year and I'm just trying to enjoy every moment on court and off court.

"Everything started here in 2011, and now I'm here in 2016 and I'm standing with the trophy, second grand slam trophy, and it means so much to me." Kerber won most of the big points in the first set-and-a-half against the tall, powerful Pliskova, who was appearing in a first grand slam final. But Pliskova broke late in the second and then led 3-1 in the third. Kerber broke back for 3-3 before Pliskova -- who has a tennis playing twin sister -- cracked at 4-5, getting broken to love in a flood of errors. Kerber fell to the court on a first match point when Pliskova's forehand -- which was inconsistent throughout -- sailed both wide and long. Later she picked up a check for $3.5 million. 🇩🇪🇩🇪🇩🇪! @AngeliqueKerber is the first German woman to win the #usopen since Steffi Graf in 1996. pic.twitter.com/Bg2PyL105x — US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2016 The Czech had become the first player in six years to beat Serena and Venus Williams -- who own a combined 29 singles majors -- at the same tournament but was unable to overcome the counter-punching Kerber three weeks after downing the left-hander in Cincinnati. "I was just happy that I took it to a third set and even though I couldn't get the win I'm really proud of myself, the way I was playing in the last two weeks," said Pliskova. "Hopefully many more finals to come." Prior to this fortnight, the 24-year-old had never been beyond the fourth round at a major despite being an established player the previous two seasons. "I found out that I could play my best tennis on the biggest stages against the top players," said Pliskova. The men's final will be decided Sunday, when world No. 1 Novak Djokovic plays No. 3 Stan Wawrinka.</s>SAN DIEGO (AP) — All-Star shortstop Javier Báez could return to the Chicago Cubs if they reach the playoffs.

Báez saw a hand specialist in Chicago who confirmed the slugger has a hairline...</s>NEW YORK (AP) — NEW YORK (AP) —A look at Saturday's play in the $46.3 million U.S. Open tennis championships:

WEATHER: Mostly sunny, hot and humid. High of 90.

RESULTS: Women's Singles Final: No. 2 Angelique Kerber won her second career Grand Slam singles title, both this year, beating No. 10 Karolina Pliskova 6-3, 4-6, 6-4. Men's Doubles Final: Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares beat Pablo Carreno Busta and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-2, 6-3 to win their second Grand Slam title of the year.

ON COURT SUNDAY: Men's Singles Final: No. 1 Novak Djokovic vs. No. 3 Stan Wawrinka; Women's Doubles Final: No. 1 Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic vs. No. 4 Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Lucie Safarova.

STAT OF THE DAY: 9 — The number of years since Justine Henin won two Grand Slam singles titles in one year, the last time a woman other than Serena Williams accomplished the feat until Angelique Kerber won on Saturday. Kerber also won the Australian Open in January.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "It means a lot to me. When I was a kid, I was always dreaming to one day be the No. 1 player in the world, to win Grand Slams. I mean, all the dreams came true this year, and I'm just trying to enjoy every moment on court and also off court." — Angelique Kerber

ON THIS DATE (Sept. 11, 1977): Guillermo Vilas beat Jimmy Connors 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-0 to win the men's singles title in the last U.S. Open match played in Forest Hills.</s>The 28-year-old German -- who will rise from second to first in the rankings Monday, ahead of Serena Williams -- became the first female player other than Williams to win two majors in a season since Justine Henin in 2007.

Indeed it has been a stellar year for Kerber, who opened her grand slam account at the Australian Open by defeating Williams, made the final at Wimbledon -- losing to Williams -- and won silver at the Rio Olympics last month.

"When I was a kid I was always dreaming to be No. 1 and win grand slams," Kerber, a breakthrough artist at the US Open five years ago in reaching the semis, said during the trophy presentation. "All the dreams came true this year and I'm just trying to enjoy every moment on court and off court.

"Everything started here in 2011, and now I'm here in 2016 and I'm standing with the trophy, second grand slam trophy, and it means so much to me." Kerber won most of the big points in the first set-and-a-half against the tall, powerful Pliskova, who was appearing in a first grand slam final. But Pliskova broke late in the second and then led 3-1 in the third. Kerber broke back for 3-3 before Pliskova -- who has a tennis playing twin sister -- cracked at 4-5, getting broken to love in a flood of errors. Kerber fell to the court on a first match point when Pliskova's forehand -- which was inconsistent throughout -- sailed both wide and long. Later she picked up a check for $3.5 million. 🇩🇪🇩🇪🇩🇪! @AngeliqueKerber is the first German woman to win the #usopen since Steffi Graf in 1996. pic.twitter.com/Bg2PyL105x — US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2016 The Czech had become the first player in six years to beat Serena and Venus Williams -- who own a combined 29 singles majors -- at the same tournament but was unable to overcome the counter-punching Kerber three weeks after downing the left-hander in Cincinnati. "I was just happy that I took it to a third set and even though I couldn't get the win I'm really proud of myself, the way I was playing in the last two weeks," said Pliskova. "Hopefully many more finals to come." Prior to this fortnight, the 24-year-old had never been beyond the fourth round at a major despite being an established player the previous two seasons. "I found out that I could play my best tennis on the biggest stages against the top players," said Pliskova. The men's final will be decided Sunday, when world No. 1 Novak Djokovic plays No. 3 Stan Wawrinka.</s>(CNN) Already assured of the No. 1 ranking, things got even better for Angelique Kerber at the US Open.

Kerber beat Karolina Pliskova in a thriller, 6-3 4-6 6-4, to win the US Open and claim her second grand slam title of 2016.

The 28-year-old German -- who will rise from second to first in the rankings Monday, ahead of Serena Williams -- became the first female player other than Williams to win two majors in a season since Justine Henin in 2007.

Indeed it has been a stellar year for Kerber, who opened her grand slam account at the Australian Open by defeating Williams, made the final at Wimbledon -- losing to Williams in a high-quality encounter -- and won silver at the Rio Olympics last month.

"When I was a kid I was always dreaming to be No. 1 and win grand slams," Kerber, a breakthrough artist at the US Open five years ago in reaching the semis, said during the trophy presentation. "All the dreams came true this year and I'm just trying to enjoy every moment on court and off court.

"Everything started here in 2011, and now I'm here in 2016 and I'm standing with the trophy, second grand slam trophy, and it means so much to me."

Kerber won the big points in the first set-and-a-half against the tall, powerful Pliskova, who was appearing in a first grand slam final. But 11th-ranked Pliskova broke late in the second and then led 3-1 in the third.

Kerber fell to the court on a first match point when Pliskova's forehand -- which was inconsistent throughout -- sailed both wide and long. She took time to reflect in her chair, weeping in joy, and later picked up a check for $3.5 million.

The Czech had become the first player in six years to beat Serena and Venus Williams -- who own a combined 29 singles majors -- at the same tournament but was unable to overcome the counter-punching Kerber three weeks after downing the left-hander in Cincinnati.

She dwelled on the positives, though.

"I was just happy that I took it to a third set and even though I couldn't get the win I'm really proud of myself, the way I was playing in the last two weeks," said Pliskova. "Hopefully many more finals to come."

Prior to this fortnight, the 24-year-old had never been beyond the fourth round at a major despite being an established player the previous two seasons.

"I found out that I could play my best tennis on the biggest stages against the top players," said Pliskova.

Kerber, drawing on her experience, enjoyed the better start, however.

Pliskova missed a seemingly easy volley and was broken to begin with after popping a string. In the ensuing game, Kerber saved a break point with a forehand winner.

Pliskova was always threatening on the Kerber serve, without breaking through, and the pattern continued early in the second. At 1-1, Pliskova erred on a forehand on break point and came up empty when holding a 15-30 advantage on the Kerber serve at 2-2.

Pliskova, meanwhile, had fully settled on serve, holding with ease.

She finally took her opportunity at 3-3, instinctively hitting a lob volley winner when Kerber couldn't put away a forehand.

The crowd -- wanting a third set -- cheered on Pliskova.

Both players producing more winners than unforced errors through two sets, matters became predictably tense in the third. The errors rose -- but so did the drama.

Kerber found herself in trouble, behind 3-1. She took advantage of a shaky Pliskova to get back level, with a pivotal game following at 3-3. Overall Kerber went 4-for-5 on break points, better than Pliskova's 2-for-7.

Kerber trailed 0-30, got to 30-30, then executed a high-risk forehand down the line. She celebrated, sensing it was a momentum changer.

Unfortunately for Pliskova -- always outwardly calm on court -- she couldn't handle the pressure of serving to stay in the contest.

The men's final will be decided Sunday, when world No. 1 Novak Djokovic plays No. 3 Stan Wawrinka. It promises to be dramatic, too, since four of their past five duels at majors have gone five sets.</s>The 28-year-old German -- who will rise from second to first in the rankings Monday, ahead of Serena Williams -- became the first female player other than Williams to win two majors in a season since Justine Henin in 2007.

Indeed it has been a stellar year for Kerber, who opened her grand slam account at the Australian Open by defeating Williams, made the final at Wimbledon -- losing to Williams -- and won silver at the Rio Olympics last month.

"When I was a kid I was always dreaming to be No. 1 and win grand slams," Kerber, a breakthrough artist at the US Open five years ago in reaching the semis, said during the trophy presentation. "All the dreams came true this year and I'm just trying to enjoy every moment on court and off court.

"Everything started here in 2011, and now I'm here in 2016 and I'm standing with the trophy, second grand slam trophy, and it means so much to me." Kerber won most of the big points in the first set-and-a-half against the tall, powerful Pliskova, who was appearing in a first grand slam final. But Pliskova broke late in the second and then led 3-1 in the third. Kerber broke back for 3-3 before Pliskova -- who has a tennis playing twin sister -- cracked at 4-5, getting broken to love in a flood of errors. Kerber fell to the court on a first match point when Pliskova's forehand -- which was inconsistent throughout -- sailed both wide and long. Later she picked up a check for $3.5 million. 🇩🇪🇩🇪🇩🇪! @AngeliqueKerber is the first German woman to win the #usopen since Steffi Graf in 1996. pic.twitter.com/Bg2PyL105x — US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2016 The Czech had become the first player in six years to beat Serena and Venus Williams -- who own a combined 29 singles majors -- at the same tournament but was unable to overcome the counter-punching Kerber three weeks after downing the left-hander in Cincinnati. "I was just happy that I took it to a third set and even though I couldn't get the win I'm really proud of myself, the way I was playing in the last two weeks," said Pliskova. "Hopefully many more finals to come." Prior to this fortnight, the 24-year-old had never been beyond the fourth round at a major despite being an established player the previous two seasons. "I found out that I could play my best tennis on the biggest stages against the top players," said Pliskova. The men's final will be decided Sunday, when world No. 1 Novak Djokovic plays No. 3 Stan Wawrinka.</s>HIGHLIGHTS-Tennis-Day 13 at the U.S. Open

Sept 10 (Reuters) - Latest news from the 13th day of the U.S. Open tennis championships on Saturday (all times GMT):

Men's doubles fourth seeds Jamie Murray of Britain and Brazil's Bruno Soares beat the Spanish duo of Pablo Carreno Busta and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-2 6-3 in the final.

Murray and Soares also triumphed in the 2016 Australian Open.

The men's doubles final kick started play at the Arthur Ashe Stadium on the 13th day of the U.S. Open on a bright day at Flushing Meadows.

New No. 1 Kerber eyes revenge against Pliskova in final

'Tired' Nishikori takes positives out of Open despite loss

Not before 2000 GMT/4PM ET

10-Karolina Pliskova (Czech Republic) v 2-Angelique Kerber (Germany) (Compiled by Nivedita Shankar in Bengaluru; Editing by Andrew Both)</s>NEW YORK (AP) — NEW YORK (AP) —A look at Saturday's play in the $46.3 million U.S. Open tennis championships:

WEATHER: Mostly sunny, hot and humid. High of 90.

RESULTS: Women's Singles Final: No. 2 Angelique Kerber won her second career Grand Slam singles title, both this year, beating No. 10 Karolina Pliskova 6-3, 4-6, 6-4. Men's Doubles Final: Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares beat Pablo Carreno Busta and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-2, 6-3 to win their second Grand Slam title of the year.

ON COURT SUNDAY: Men's Singles Final: No. 1 Novak Djokovic vs. No. 3 Stan Wawrinka; Women's Doubles Final: No. 1 Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic vs. No. 4 Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Lucie Safarova.

STAT OF THE DAY: 9 — The number of years since Justine Henin won two Grand Slam singles titles in one year, the last time a woman other than Serena Williams accomplished the feat until Angelique Kerber won on Saturday. Kerber also won the Australian Open in January.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "It means a lot to me. When I was a kid, I was always dreaming to one day be the No. 1 player in the world, to win Grand Slams. I mean, all the dreams came true this year, and I'm just trying to enjoy every moment on court and also off court." — Angelique Kerber

ON THIS DATE (Sept. 11, 1977): Guillermo Vilas beat Jimmy Connors 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-0 to win the men's singles title in the last U.S. Open match played in Forest Hills.
In tennis, German Angelique Kerber defeats Czech Karolína Plíšková in three sets to win the 2016 US Open women's singles title.