Williams to remain No. 1

MASON, Ohio (AP) — The final step up to No. 1 was simply too big for Angelique Kerber — this time, anyway.

The world’s second-ranked player wasted a chance to end Serena Williams’ long run at the top. She dropped behind at the outset, repeatedly missed routine shots and fell to Karolina Pliskova 6-3, 6-1 in the championship match Sunday at the Western & Southern Open.

Williams will be ranked No. 1 for the 184th consecutive week, two shy of Steffi Graf’s WTA-record run that ended in 1997.