Kerber loses No. 1 ranking as Muguruza edges her in 3-set epic
Angelique Kerber's latest run at No. 1 in the world has come to an end.
The reigning Wimbledon runner-up was ousted by 2015 finalist Garbine Muguruza in the fourth round Monday, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4. Kerber needed to repeat her finals run from last year in order to retain the top ranking.
In a match that featured two players desperately seeking a spark to turn their disappointing seasons around, the quality was astonishing from the outset, with both women playing some of their best tennis of 2017.
With Kerber controlling the baseline, defending side to side and ripping forehands down the line, Muguruza - typically a staunch baseliner herself - began aggressively moving to net. Kerber passed her, a lot - as is her wont - on her way to winning the first set. But still Muguruza kept coming, keeping the pressure on, tightening the screws.
She stung backhands deep into the corners and surged forward to clip off angles, moved in behind punishing second-serve returns, even tried out a couple serve-and-volleys. Kerber never wilted, but she found herself increasingly lost for solutions as Muguruza took away her timing. All told, the Spaniard came to net 54 times in the match, winning 35 of those points. Kerber played about as cleanly as possible - committing just 12 unforced errors in the match - but that wasn't enough to stem the tide of Muguruza's offensive barrage.
For Kerber, losing the No. 1 ranking has felt inevitable for some time. She hasn't played like the world's best player all year, reclaiming the distinction only when Serena Williams stepped away from the tour to have a child, and then holding onto it by a thread through the clay season, despite losing in the first round at the French Open last month.
But she didn't give it away at this tournament, either. She played gutsy, oft-inspired tennis, and Muguruza had to be at her very best - and bravest - to beat her. There are plenty of positive takeaways for Kerber, and if she can carry this form over to the hard-court season, a big second half could be in store.
As for the top ranking, Simona Halep will take it over if she makes the semifinals at this tournament. If not, No. 1 will go to Karolina Pliskova.
Muguruza will face Svetlana Kuznetsova in the quarterfinals.