Kerber edges closer to No.1 spot

Germany’s Angelique Kerber has moved to within two victories of her debut as the world No.1 as the second seed saw off Carla Suarez Navarro 4-6 6-3 6-0 at the Cincinnati Masters.

The Australian Open champion and Rio Olympic silver medallist was able to turn around her quarter-final against the Spaniard after dropping the opening set on a hot and humid day.

“It all feels amazing. I’m seeing all the hard work of last few years paying off,” said the 28-year-old Kerber, who also reached the Wimbledon final last month.

“This is a moment for which I’ve been dreaming – and now I’m living the dream.” Kerber had to fight to close out the win, claiming a tight final game.

The second seed trailed 0-30, then got deeper into trouble as a double fault handed over three break points to Suarez Navarro.

Kerber saved the lot but needed three match points to finally conclude the effort.

“It was not so easy to turn it all around in the second set,” said the winner.

“She was moving very well.

“But I never doubted my game. I knew I could turn the match. I tried to go for it and play with more aggression.

“I was going for my shots when I had the chance and trying to shorten the rallies in the heat. I believed in my game and fought to the last point. Now I’m through to the semis.” Kerber, who was ranked 11th a year ago, refuses to get worked up about the possibility of seizing number one from Serena Williams.

“It’s been an incredible year for me. I won the Australian Open, played the Wimbledon final and got the silver medal in Rio.

“A lot of things have changed but I’m still a few matches away from number one. I’m not thinking about it, so let’s see what happens in the next few days.”

Czech fifth seed Karolina Pliskova reached the final four with a defeat of Russian seventh seed Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-3 4-6 6-2.