Kerber in final, Serena out

New world No 1 Angelique Kerber eased into the US final with victory over Caroline Wozniacki but it was a night to forget for Serena Williams.

Williams suffered a shock defeat in Arthur Ashe Stadium by Karolina Pliskova to end her pursuit of a record-breaking 23rd Grand Slam title, as well as losing her status as the world’s top player.

While Kerber celebrated her new ranking by brushing her Danish opponent aside with a 6-4 6-3 triumph, Williams said she was hampered by a knee injury on her quest to surpass Steffi Graf’s Open-era record of 22 major wins.

Pliskova was in no mood for sympathy on and off the court though as she ruthlessly conquered the American 6-2 7-6 (7-5).

“I have been having some serious left knee problems,” Williams said. “I wasn’t able to move the way I wanted to move.

“When you’re injured, you’re thinking of other things when you should be just playing and thinking of your shots. My mind was just a little bit everywhere. …

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