A few fans whoop as they watch a Pliskova forehand fly by Kerber for 30-0. The Czech easing ahead in this game, to 40-0, serving with precision. Kerber nicks a point, but that's all the German can muster. A quick and efficient hold for Pliskova. Focus back on Kerber. 

Russell Fuller
BBC tennis correspondent on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Kerber clenches her fist. She knows the importance of that game.

Image source, Getty Images

Brutal hitting from Pliskova, pinning Kerber to the back of the court and the German's resistance eventually folds, allowing the Czech to skip ahead to 30-15. A mini victory in a battle within a battle. 

Kerber is not trailing for long, however, but Pliskova forces the game to deuce with a crackerjack of a forehand winner down the line. Decibels rise inside the arena. A chance for Pliskova? Is this her moment? 

No, no, no. The Czech gambles and fails, Kerber wriggling free, ahead once again. 

Jill Craybas
Former world number 39 on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Pliskova is looking to move into the court with that serve and volley and it is paying off.

Image source, AFP

Joy for Pliskova almost every time she advances to the net, her 6ft 1in frame making the Czech difficult to pass once she's at the tape. The world number 11 mixing up her game, keeping Kerber guessing - from the back of the court she forces the German long, wraping up a hold to 15. 

At deuce the crowd are roaring... urging Pliskova on. The Czech half delivers, engineering a break point - but Kerber is made of steely stuff. At break point her body language is as it would be were the game just starting. Unruffled, the German wipes out Pliskova's advantage and proceeds to hold. Pliskova yet to grab a break point, letting three squander in this match so far. 

Jeff Tarango
Former professional tennis player on 5 live sports extra

If Pliskova wants to come back into this match she needs to play Kerber like she is a right hander. 

Pliskova needs to stick to her best shots in the final.

It hasn't been the sort of match where Pliskova has been able to launch ace after ace, the Czech has had to work  for her points, for her games. The unforced errors, the number of which are totting up, have not helped and from serenely serving at 40-0 the 10th seed is having to dig deep at deuce. Dig deep she does though to earn an important hold at the start of this second set. 

Image source, Reuters

Pliskova disappears for a moment, but quickly returns to the court, sipping liquid from a bottle, a towel draped around her shoulders. It's hot and humid on Ashe, so they say, and even the world's best are feeling the heat. 

Kerber gets the second set under way. The German looking at home on this grand stage, rattling off two points quickly. This is her third Grand Slam final, of course, and she has one major title in the bag. 

Pliskova dangerous when she steps in from the baseline. She eyes up a high ball, places it beyond her opponent to reduce the deficit to 40-30, but she can't seem sustain such pressure and it's a relatively comfortable hold for Kerber. 

Jill Craybas
Former world number 39 on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Kerber played so solid. 

We knew it would be tough for Pliskova. 

Kerber makes you hit one extra ball and somehow finds the court when it looks like she is in the worst position.

Image source, AFP

Kerber fetching and retrieving, only a super-duper shot can thwart her and that's what Pliskova produces with a deft dropper which falls short of the second seed's reach. A cat-and-mouse battle developing... Kerber unrelenting, Pliskova forced to be creative in her shot-making. 

At 30-30, Pliskova produces a double fault. Nasty. Set point Kerber and once the crowd's din dims they go again... Pliskova to the net... Kerber down the line... the Czech is broken and the set is Kerber's. 

Image source, Getty Images

David Law
Radio 5 live sports extra commentator

Kerber wagged her finger as if to say 'no one can drop shot me.'

It is quite something to witness Kerber defend in a rally.

A sharp intake of breath by some in the crowd as Kerber coughs up a double fault, allowing Pliskova to level at 15-15. Pliskova on her toes, eyes widening, sensing an opportunity... a deft backhand towards the tramline changes direction of play, could this be when momentum turns? It catches almost everyone off guard other than Kerber who pounces with the speed of a cobra's tongue to scoop a winning forehand down the line. She raises a finger skywards. That was some shot. Kerber is some player. 

The crowd roar in approval as they watch Pliskova thump a forehand winner down the line, almost nonchalantly, for 40-0. Kerber forcing herself back into contention, nicking two points, but just as we're preparing for a battle at deuce Pliskova comes up with an unreturnable overhead to keep Kerber within touching distance. 

Kerber's skirt looking like a piece of modernist art, blocks of yellow, white and blue while Pliskova has opted for a more prosaic outfit, a simple white skirt with blue and red trim. The Czech far from dull on the court, however, with her net play especially impressive, but it's Kerber who comes away with the hold, closing in on the set. 

Image source, AP

Jeff Tarango
Former professional tennis player on 5 live sports extra

Fantastic play to hold from Pliskova. She should have broken in the last game.

This match is really close. Don't forget breaks of serve happen often in women's finals with the nerves.

Image source, AP

A well-worked point from Pliskova as she pushes Kerber out to the tramline before proceeding to the tape, punching away a volley for 30-15. 

Woah! A fantastic rally! To and fro, back and forth, the crowd moving closer to the edge of their seats as the point develops, both players edging closer to the net... Pliskova using her 6ft 1in frame to scoop the ball from her shoelaces and Kerber can but only net. Bravo. 

But from 40-15 to deuce as Pliskova chucks in a couple of unforced errors, but the Czech can rely on her serve to untangle her from potential trouble. 

David Law
Radio 5 live sports extra commentator

There is a nice contrast between these players.

It could be a classic.

Image source, AP

Kerber's serve has so far been impressive, the majority of her first serves hitting the target. The German is superior in the lengthier rallies, but Pliskova is also pinging sweet strokes from her racquet. 

A beaut of a backhand down the line drags the game to deuce, and the Czech has a whiff at break point, though she slaps a forehand into the net to let Kerber off the hook. 

Another break point, another Kerber escape. Kerber not having it all her own way anymore, but the wriggles free to win this battle. Missed opportunities for Pliskova.