Angelique Kerber vs Karolina Pliskova For The 2016 US Open Title

In a surprise final, new No. 1 Angelique Kerber will battle Karolina Pliskova this afternoon in the finals of the last Grand Slam of the season.

The German Kerber has won four of seven but Pliskova won their most recent meeting last month in Cincinnati losing just four games.

Te 24-year-old Pliskova also comes in winning 11 straight matches including wins over both Williams sisters, Serena and Venus, this week.

After being ranked No. 11 a year ago at this time, Kerber is in her third Grand Slam final of the season seeking a second Major win after stunning Serena Williams at the Australian Open.

On Monday, Kerber will become the 22nd player on the WTA to rank No. 1. Before then, she has the Czech today.

“For sure she has a lot of confidence,” said Kerber. “Now especially against the win against Serena. She will go out there and try and win her first Grand Slam, but at the end I will try the same. I know it will be mentally for me also very tough because she know that she won against me like few weeks ago.

“But at the end I know how I was playing in Cincinnati. I know what to change. I will talk with my coach about the game and I will try to take the challenge again against her.”

Added Pliskova, “It was always a dream to, you know, get a title, get to the semifinal, get to the final. So, I mean, it’s a big result for me. I hope I didn’t stop yet, that there is still one more step to go. I’ll do anything for getting the title.

“Even if I don’t get it, it’s a big result. I’m really happy to be there and even have the chance to play in the final here. It doesn’t happen often, you know, that you’re playing especially semifinal against Serena on center court here in New York. It doesn’t happen often that you’re in the final of Grand Slams.

“I’m really excited to be there and really excited to be in a Grand Slam final for first time in my life.”