US Open 2016: Angelique Kerber beats Petra Kvitova to advance to quarters in New York

The pair traded early breaks in the opening set before Kerber forced the crucial break at 3-2 and hung on to take the opening set 6-3.

The second set was a similarly close affair but it was Kerber’s consistency that was the decisive factor against the unforced errors of her Czech opponent, the match ending with a double fault.

By reaching the last eight Kerber has put herself in position to end Serena Williams' long reign as world number one. Williams, bidding for a record seventh U.S. Open title, will now need to reach the final to have a chance of retaining top spot.

Kerber now faces Italian Roberta Vinci in the quarter final.