Kerber looks to strengthen her hold on top spot in China

Serena’s absence expected to help German assert dominance

New world No 1 Angelique Kerber is set to strengthen her grip on the top position at a star-studded Wuhan Open this week after Serena Williams pulled out with a shoulder injury.

Kerber, 28, ascended to the top of the rankings at the US Open, ending Williams’ runs of 186 consecutive weeks as world number one — a record she shares with Steffi Graff.

The German looks set to maintain her hold on the number one spot after the veteran American bowed out of the tournament — and the China Open in Beijing the following week — citing an ongoing shoulder problem.

With Williams staying off the court, the German now has a year-end run as world number one firmly in her sights, capping off a glittering year. She had never made it to a Grand Slam final until she took the crown in Australia at the start of the year. She then reached the final of Wimbledon, but lost to Williams, before taking a silver medal in Rio.

The German claimed her second Gland Slam title of the year at Flushing Meadows earlier this monthinagrittythree-setthriller against Czech Karolina Pliskova. Wuhan may be the scene for a rematch between Kerber and world number six Pliskova, who are at opposite ends of the draw and could meet in the final.

Meanwhile in Tokyo, former world No 1 Caroline Wozniacki produced a spirited fightback to beat fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 and reach the Pan Pacific Open final yesterday. Awaiting the Dane in Sunday’s Tokyo final will be Japanese teenager Naomi Osaka, who continued her fairytale run with a 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina.

Pan Pacific Open (semi-final):

Naomi Osaka (Japan) beat Elina Svitolina (Ukraine) 1-6, 6-3, 6-2; Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark) beat 2-Agnieszka Radwanska (Poland) 4-6, 7-5, 6-4.

5-Monica Niculescu (Romania) beat 3-Zhang Shuai (China) 6-0, 6-4; Lara Arruabarrena Vecino (Spain) beat Patricia Tig (Romania) 6-1, 6-2.

Seoul Open (semi-final): Guangzhou International (final):

Lesia Tsurenko (Ukraine) beat 2-Jelena Jankovic (Serbia) 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.

St Petersburg Open (semi-final):

5-Alexander Zverev (Germany) beat 3-Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic) 6-4, 6-4.

AP Angelique Kerber (above) may well have to contend with Karolina Pliskova at the Wuhan Open after getting the better of the Czech world number six in the US Open final.