Angelique Kerber misses chance to usurp Serena Williams as No 1, but German’s time will come

The German's defeat to Karolina Pliskova in Cincinnati ensures Williams remains top of the WTA rankings for a 184th straight week.

Angelique Kerber, of Germany, returns to Karolina Pliskova, of the Czech Republic, during the final of the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Sunday, August 21, 2016, in Mason, Ohio. John MincShow more

Serena Williams’s reign at the top of the WTA rankings continues, thanks to Karolina Pliskova.

The American has now completed 184 straight weeks at No 1 since reclaiming the top spot from Victoria Azarenka on February 17, 2013, the second-longest streak at the summit in WTA history after Steffi Graf’s reign of 186 weeks.

Williams, who equalled the German’s record of most grand slam singles titles in the Open era this summer at Wimbledon, now has an opportunity to break two Graf records if she wins the US Open.

• Cincinnati Masters: Angelique Kerber suffers upset to Karolina Pliskova in final

That opportunity would not have been available had Angelique Kerber won one more match in Cincinnati last week. The German would have been celebrating her ascension to the No 1 ranking today had she defeated Pliskova in the final, but it was not to be. Kerber had few answers to Pliskova’s formidable serves and forehands, losing 6-3, 6-1.

“Of course, I am disappointed,” said Kerber when asked the obvious question, before pointing out the positives.

“It’s amazing what’s happened in the last few months, it’s just incredible.”

Incredible, indeed. Kerber had started the year ranked No 10 in the world, 6,355 points behind Williams (9,945). To come to within a few points of replacing Williams at No 1 inside eight months is staggering, especially since nobody saw this coming, certainly not at the Australian Open when Kerber was a match-point down against Misaki Doi in her opening match.

It has been a remarkable journey since, with grand slam success in Melbourne, a silver medal at the Rio Olympics and the runners-up plate at Wimbledon.

“I’m trying to enjoy my tennis, because it’s the best time of my career right now,” Kerber said in a courtside interview last week.

“I’ve had a lot of ups and downs the last few years and a lot of experiences from which I’ve learned.”

So, while Kerber is right to be disappointed at missing out on this opportunity to ascend to the top of the rankings, there is not a lot she would want to change. If she keeps playing at the same level, with the same spirit, more chances will come to reach No 1.

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