Angelique Kerber lost her bid to take over the WTA No.1 ranking as the German fell 6-3 6-1 in the Cincinnati Masters final on Sunday to Karolina Pliskova.

The Czech 15th seed earned the win of her life in 62 minutes as she got off to a fast start against Rio silver medallist Kerber, who never found here way in the match.

Kerber was broken twice in the first set to trail 3-0 from a forehand wide and lost the opener after 32 minutes.

Pliskova, winner of five previous titles, went up an early break in the second set, with a frustrated Kerber dropping to 1-5 after double-faulting on a break point.

Pliskova finished the job a game later on her second match-winning chance.

Serena Williams will remain as number one heading into the US Open starting Monday August 29 as a result of the Kerber loss.

Pliskova now stands 3-4 against Kerber and becomes the first from her nation to win the Cincinnati trophy.

She ended with seven aces and five breaks of Kerber.

Double Olympic champion Andy Murray and Marin Cilic will clash for the men’s title later.