Johannesburg [South Africa]: World No. 2 Angelique Kerber defeated Monica Puig of Puerto Rican in straight sets in the round of 16 clash of the Dubai Tennis Championships on Wednesday to move a step closer to return to the number one ranking.
Kerber dominated Puig 6-2, 6-3 in the game that lasted barely an hour.
The top-seeded German, who held the top WTA spot in 2016 before Serena Williams took it back in September, could regain the numero one ranking if she wins the Gulf event on Saturday.
“I was trying to play my game. I’m really happy about how I played today,” Kerber was quoted as saying by Sport24.
“I was really trying to stay focused on every single point and trying to move well, bringing a lot of balls back. I was just thinking about my game, about my rhythm, and not thinking too much about my opponent tonight,” she added.
The 29-year-old will next face Ana Konjuh of Croatian for a place in the semis, who defeated eighth seed Elena Vesnina 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4). (ANI)