Germany's Angelique Kerber began her reign as world number one in imperious style battling past a determined Karolina Pliskova 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 to win the US Open final on Saturday and claim her second grand slam title of the year.

Kerber, who will officially take over from Serena Williams as the world's top ranked player on Monday, underlined her number one status displaying the heart of a champion as she fought off a fierce challenge from Czech 10th seed Pliskova on a steamy Arthur Ashe Stadium court.

Pliskova, who arrived at Flushing Meadows with the reputation of grand slam under-achiever having never before been beyond the third round of the major, shed that label by making it all the way to the final and going toe-to-toe with second seed Kerber for just over two hours of suspenseful, high-quality tennis.

Kerber began the grand slam year winning her first major at the Australia Open and ended with a U.S. Open title to go along with a runner-up finish at Wimbledon.