The nerves have vanished, the serve is back on song. Pliskova launches one missile after another, Kerber can do little but watch on, and the Czech concludes a hold to love with a crisp ace. The final has truly begun. 

Image source, Getty Images

Jeff Tarango
Former professional tennis player on 5 live sports extra

Kerber's biggest improvement in the last few years has been her movement and fitness.

She looks like a fantastic athlete.

Pliskova has found her rhythm. At 30-30, she pushes Kerber onto her heels and advances to the net to seal the point. A chance to immediately break back. 

Kerber, though, will not let her back in without a fight. The Australian Open champion forces the game to deuce and proceeds to advantage with a stunning winner down the line. A sniff was all Pliskova had. Kerber up and running and in control. 

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

The longer the rally goes the more it favours Kerber. She is going to be the more patient player.

Pliskova knows she will have to be more patient in this match because Kerber's defensive skills are one of her assets.

Image source, Getty Images

Nerves playing games, adrenaline pumping around the body... Pliskova opens with a double fault - the best or worst time to falter? The Czech breathing heavily, attempting but, so far, failing to slow the pulse. At 15-30 a lengthy rally, momentum with Pliskova, she pushes Kerber off court, but miscues an overhead at the net and the crowd groan in unison. 

Two break points Kerber, Pliskova feeling as if she has nettles in her mouth. An ace - one break point remaining. But, deary me, a ping of a string, bad luck for the Czech, and the second seed breaks. 

"Time," says the umpire and a ripple of applause filters around the stadium. Karolina Pliskova will serve first... 

Image source, Getty Images

Jeff Tarango
Former professional tennis player on 5 live sports extra

Everyone surprised to see Pliskova in final.

It is incredible to me to see her flat penetrating game that is so against the norm people are teaching now.

She is bringing the flat game back, that is what Kerber will have to worry about.

These finalists have met on seven previous occasions, with the 28-year-old Kerber narrowly leading the head-to-head with four victories. 

The German has also won the last two encounters, both of which were on hard courts, but the world number 11 is playing like never before, has won two titles this season and has beaten the Serena Williams to reach the final so who knows how this match will play out. 

Image source, Getty Images

The world's largest tennis stadium is filling up, fans gradually taking their seats in this soup bowl of an arena. The players have walked on court to warm applause, Kerber carrying a red and yellow bouquet which matches the colourful slap-dash design of her skirt. The warm up has begun. We're minutes away from the final. 

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

This is one of her best years for Kerber. She is playing great tennis and the look in her face, she doesn't look like she is going to lose.

It looks that she knows she is going to come through the match. I think she is really embracing this new position. 

Serena Williams' loss is Angelique Kerber's gain. For the first time since February 2013, the American 22-time Grand Slam champion is no longer be the world's best tennis player. 

From Monday, regardless of how she fares on Arthur Ashe on this balmy New York night, Kerber will be the world number one, the Queen of the court, the woman to beat. 

The German has it all, the status, the ranking, a Grand Slam in the bag, but what if Pliskova continues to serve phenomenally well? This match will be fun. 

Image source, Getty Images

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

This is probably considered the hardest Grand Slam, it is a long season to get to here and now these last few days it has been really humid. 

It will be a really good final today.

Those of you who have done your homework will know that the big serving Karolina Pliskova has served the most aces on the circuit this year (446). 

Serena Williams' conqueror has been known as an underachiever on the sport's biggest stages - before this tournament she was the only Top 20 player to have never progressed to a major quarter-final -  but at Flushing Meadows the 24-year-old has proved she has Grand Slam steel. 

Image source, Getty Images

Hello again! Welcome back and thanks for joining us for the US Open women's final. 

There's no Serena Williams at this year-ending Grand Slam final but yet the world still turns, the sun still rises, Justin Bieber (thankfully) is still making music. 

It's time for a new face, for a new order, for Karolina Pliskova and Angelique Kerber to take centre stage.

That is it from us for now, but to steal a line from Arnold Schwarzenegger - we will be back. 

The women's final, a tantalising duel between Angelique Kerber and Karolina Pliskova. starts at 21:00 BST and we will bring you game-by-game coverage. 

Thanks for joining us. Join us again in a bit. 

There's some more chat from Soares and Murray. "It's incredible, it's inane, it's our first year together, we're having a great time on court, we saved the best for last and we're going away with the trophy," says Soares. 

Murray says the humidity made playing difficult. "We came here hungry to do well and we've got a trophy to take home with us. It's been awesome. Andy did so well this year, I don't need to sing his praises anymore than everyone else already does. We've got Davis Cup in a few days' time and I'm sure he'll bounce back for that."

David Law
Radio 5 live sports extra commentator

Jamie Murray has had some dark days in the sport, he came close to quitting a few years ago but he came good last year with John Peers and now Bruno Soares is the perfect partner for him.