10 September,2016 11:38 AM IST | | Agencies
Germany’s Kerber says it’s incredible to replicate compatriot Steffi Graf by going top of the rankings after her 6-4, 6-3 semi-final win over Caroline Wozniacki
New York: Angelique Kerber hailed an "incredible" day after she celebrated her new number one ranking by beating Caroline Wozniacki to reach the US Open final.
Serena Williams' shock defeat less than 40 minutes before Kerber's match in Arthur Ashe Stadium sealed the German's place as World No 1 and she underlined her credentials against Wozniacki, winning 6-4, 6-3.
Kerber will now take on Williams' conqueror, Karolina Pliskova, in Saturday's showpiece match as she closes in on a second grand slam title.
Rapid rise
After finishing last year ranked 10th in the world, nobody could have predicted Kerber would go through 2016 as a three-time grand slam finalist and rated the finest female player on the planet.
Her rise began in January with a maiden major triumph at the Australian Open, where she had to defend match point against Japan's Misaki Doi in the first round, and could now end with another success in Flushing Meadows.
Kerber beat Williams in Melbourne before losing to her in the final at Wimbledon, but it is a new face in Pliskova she will be facing this weekend after the Czech's stunning victory in New York.
"It's just incredible. It's a great day. I was trying to play and focus on this match because Caroline is a great player, always tough to play against.
"To be in the final means a lot and to be number one in the world sounds amazing."
Kerber is the first German to make the US Open final since Steffi Graf beat Monica Seles here in 1996 and also the first from her country since Graf to become World No 1.
In doing so, she protects another of her compatriot's records as Williams was left tied with Graf on 186 consecutive weeks at the top of the charts. "For me it's amazing to be after Steffi, the number one player from Germany," Kerber said. "Steffi is a great champion, a great person and I think she's proud of me to be the next No 1 after her."
Pliskova may not have 22 grand slam titles behind her, in fact she had previously never been past the third round of a major tournament, but the World No 11 remains a dangerous prospect. She is chasing a 12th win in a row, obliterated Williams with her deadly serve and also beat Kerber last month en route to winning the title in Cincinnati.
Revenge on cards
"I will try to take revenge against her," Kerber said. "She has a big serve. She has had a great four weeks on the road now. I will give my best. I know how well she is playing."
