Johannesburg: World no.2 Angelique Kerber defeated Monica Puig of Puerto Ricon in straight sets in round 16 clash of Dubai Tennis Championships on Wednesday to move to move a step closer to return to no. one ranking.


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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 back in September could regain the number 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 Sports24.


“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 Crotian for a place in the semis, who defeated eight seed Elena Vesnina 3-6,6-4,7-6(7/4).