Williams still reigns supreme as Kerber loses in Cincinnati
The Australian Open champion would have dislodged the world number one with the Cincinnati title but Williams can now claim Steffi Graf's record.
Serena Williams retained the world number one ranking on Monday, following Karolina Pliskova's title win over Angelique Kerber in Cincinnati.
184 weeks
Germany's Kerber would have ended 22-time major champion Williams' run of 184 consecutive weeks as world number one if she had claimed the title.
But the reigning Australian Open champion was beaten 6-3, 6-1 by Czech Pliskova, who moves up from 17th to 11th.
Steffi Graf record in Serena's sights
American Williams, who withdrew from her Cincinnati title defence with an injury, is now just three weeks away from breaking Steffi Graf's record for the longest stint at the top of the rankings. Williams has now spent 184 weeks as number one since reclaiming the top spot from Victoria Azarenka on February 17, 2013, with Steffi Graf’s reign lasting 186 weeks.
The only change in the top 10 sees Agnieszka Radwanska retake fourth spot from Simona Halep, who was beaten by Kerber in the semi-finals.
WTA top 20
1. Serena Williams (USA) 7,050 pts
2. Angelique Kerber (GER) 6,860
3. Garbiñe Muguruza (ESP) 5,830
4. Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 5,340 (+1)
5. Simona Halep (ROM) 5,151 (-1)
6. Venus Williams (USA) 4,005
7. Victoria Azarenka (BLR) 3,551
8. Roberta Vinci (ITA) 3,465
9. Madison Keys (USA) 3,341
10. Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) 3,190