Serena Williams to lose number one ranking to Kerber

World number one Serena Williams could lose her place as the numero uno after her withdrawal from the Cincinnati Open.

Serena had withdrawn following a shoulder injury this week.

Second seed Angelique Kerber will replace Williams at the top of the standings if she wins the tournament.

Williams, 34, had last week accepted a wild card to defend her title after playing at the Olympic Games in Rio.

“My shoulder inflammation continues to be a challenge, but I am anxious to return as soon as possible,” she said.

The American withdrew following a practice session on Monday.

Williams has been ranked world number one for 183 consecutive weeks, and 306 in total.

She was knocked out of the Olympics in the third round by Ukrainian Elina Svitolina.

She was also beaten in the doubles with sister Venus in the first round – their first defeat in 16 Olympic matches together.

The US Open, the final Grand Slam of the year, begins on 29 August.

US OPEN WILDCARDS ANNOUNCED

Meanwhile, with the year’s final Grand Slam event just a few weeks away, the USTA announced today the recipients of main draw and qualifying wildcards for the US Open.

Among the recipients for main draw wildcards are:

– two-time NCAA singles champion Danielle Collins, 

– 2016 USTA Girls’ 18s National Champion Kayla Day, 

– young American Lauren Davis, 

– USTA Pro Circuit US Open Wild Card challenge winner Sofia Kenin, 

– former Top 50 player Vania King, and,

– Rio’s mixed doubles Olympic gold medalist Bethanie Mattek-Sands, as well as

– France’s Virginie Razzano.

As part of a reciprocal agreement with the USTA, Tennis Australia will award one additional main draw wild card to a player who will be announced at a later date.

In addition to the eight US Open women’s singles main draw wild cards, the USTA also announced the eight women who have been awarded wild card entries into the US Open Qualifying Tournament, which will be held August 23-26 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

One additional US Open qualifying wild card will be awarded to the winner of the 2015 US Open National Playoffs – Women’s Championship, taking place August 19-22 in New Haven, Connecticut.

Here’s the full list of wildcards announced so far:

MAIN DRAW

Kayla Day (USA)

Lauren Davis (USA)

Sofia Kenin (USA)

Vania King (USA)

Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA)

Virginie Razzano (FRA)

QUALIFYING

Amanda Anisimova (USA)

Francesca Di Lorenzo (USA)

Nicole Frenkel (USA)

Ellie Halbauer (USA) 

Jamie Loeb (USA)

Raveena Kingsley (USA)

Melanie Oudin (USA)

Laura Robson (GBR)

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