Kerber Soars Into Cincy Semis, Eyes to Unseat Serena for Top Spot

August 19, 2016 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff

On the women’s singles side of the draw at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, Angelique Kerber fought back to defeat Carla Suárez Navarro, 4-6, 6-3, 6-0, to move into the semifinals. Should Kerber capture the title in Cincinnati, she will end Serena Williams’ stranglehold on the top spot of the WTA Women’s Singles Rankings.

Up next for Kerber is either Simona Halep or Agnieszka Radwanska who play Friday night under the lights. Halep holds a 4-2 record lifetime over Kerber, while Radwanska holds a slight 6-5 advantage lifetime in 11 career meetings.

Karolina Pliskova was a three-set winner Friday as well, moving into the semifinals after a 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 win over Svetlana Kuznetsova.

"It wasn't easy today, she played some good tennis and me as well, I was happy with how I played, especially in these conditions—it's pretty hot today," Pliskova said. "In the first set, I tried to play aggressive and not give her time to dictate the game. My serve wasn't that good today in the first two sets, but in the third it improved a lot."

Pliskova will meet Garbiñe Muguruza in the semifinals, after Muguruza’s 6-4, 6-3 win Friday over Timea Babos. In three career meetings, Pliskova holds a 2-1 advantage, the last meeting coming in 2015 at Indian Wells in the quarterfinals, a win by Pliskova.


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
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