Serena Williams’s hot streak of being on top of the women's singles rankings for 186 consecutive weeks came to an end as she was beaten in straight sets by 10th seed Karolina Pliskova in the semi-finals of the US Open. Williams lost 6-2, 7-6(5) in a match that lasted for one hour and 26 minutes.
Williams was the hot favourite to win the match against her big-serving Czech opponent. However, the 34-year-old American came into the match with a left knee injury which she had picked up during her quarter-final clash against Simona Halep, according to her coach.
The loss means Germany’s Angelique Kerber is guaranteed the No. 1 spot next week when the rankings are updated. Pliskova will play Kerber in the final after the German beat Caroline Wozniacki in straight sets in the second semi-final.