MASON, Ohio -- Angelique Kerber reached the Western & Southern Open final Saturday, leaving her one win away from unseating Serena Williams at No. 1.Kerber took control after a 33-minute rain delay in the first set and beat Simona Halep 6-3, 6-4 in humid, windy conditions, putting her within reach of the worlds top ranking. Williams has led the WTA rankings for 183 consecutive weeks, the second-longest such stretch.A win on Sunday over 15th-seeded Karolina Pliskova would move Kerber to the top spot in next weeks rankings. Williams dropped out at the start of the tournament because of an inflamed shoulder, leaving her ranking vulnerable.Andy Murray extended his successful summer -- another Wimbledon title, another Olympic gold medal -- by reaching the final as well, giving him a chance for a third Cincinnati championship.More is at stake in the womens title match. Kerber has tried to avoid thinking about No. 1 because she didnt want to put any more pressure on herself. Now, theres no avoiding it.Ive had a lot of ups and downs the last few years and a lot of experiences from which Ive learned, Kerber said. I think Im one of the best tennis players. One match away, still a long way to go.Shed become only the second German woman to hold the top spot. Steffi Grafs reign at No. 1 ended in 1997. It would be Kerbers first title in Cincinnati -- she lost her other final appearance in 2012.Halep was on a hot streak, winning back-to-back titles at Bucharest and Montreal. Shed also beaten Kerber in their four matches on hard courts this season, although Kerber won at Wimbledon.Kerber led 4-3 in the first set when rain forced the delay. She won eight of the next nine points to take the first set, then pulled ahead 4-0 in the second set, pumping her right arm in celebration as the games piled up.Pliskova advanced to the championship match for the first time by beating Garbine Muguruza 6-1, 6-3 in an earlier match. She was well aware of the stakes on Sunday.I know it, she said. For me, doesnt really mean anything. For her, yes. I dont know if she would be a little bit stressed or something, but I would love to have her as a No. 1 after a few years. But Ill do anything for her not to get there, if she wins [in the semifinals].In the mens bracket, Murray beat Milos Raonic 6-3, 6-3, also overcoming a brief rain delay in the first set. Hes won his past 22 matches, a career best. And he appeared fresher on Saturday after pulling through a draining summer of success.After beating Raonic for his second Wimbledon title and getting another Olympic gold medal in Rio de Janeiro, he came to Cincinnati worn out. He developed a bad head cold and had a stiff back that limited his movement during the quarterfinals. He was much sharper on Saturday with only 11 unforced errors.Im not going to be fresh, Murray said. Ive played a lot of tennis the last few weeks. This week has been hard for me, coming from Rio. Tomorrow is going to be my first match during the day. Every player will tell you the conditions are different in the daytime.The mens bracket was wiped out by injuries. Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer skipped the tournament, and Rafael Nadal was knocked out early as he plays back into shape following a severe wrist injury.By reaching the final, Murray made it 33 straight Masters championships involving at least one member of the Big Four -- Murray, Federer, Djokovic and Nadal. One of them has won each of the past 18 Masters championships.Murray will face Marin Cilic, who rallied to beat unseeded Grigor Dimitrov 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 in a rain-delayed semifinal that ended at 1:36 a.m. local time.White Vapormax Womens Uk . PAUL, Minn. Cheap Vapormax Mens White . "Were just throwing s--- at the wall hoping something sticks," said Tortorella about the possible line combinations for Fridays game against Columbus. The Canucks have lost five straight games and six of their last seven, leaving them in a logjam in the Pacific Division, currently sitting fifth - good for ninth in the Western Conference. http://www.vapormaxwholesaleuk.com/ . -- Brandon Jennings made the most of his first game with the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night. Nike Vapormax Mens Uk . Those lessons were more than enough to overwhelm the Utah Jazz. Lou Williams scored 25 points and the Hawks continued their offensive upswing as they rolled to an easy 118-85 victory over the Jazz on Friday night, winning their third straight and for the fourth time in five games. Nike Vapormax Uk Ebay . While hell be dialed in to that tournament on a course he loves, you can forgive him if his eyes glance down the calendar just a bit, towards April.DENVER -- Ichiro Suzuki defined his career with speed and sharp hits. It was only fitting he flashed both in his historic moment.Suzuki lined a tripled off the wall for his 3,000th career hit in the major leagues, becoming the 30th player to reach the milestone as the Miami Marlins beat the Colorado Rockies 10-7 Sunday.The 42-year-old Suzuki got his big hit in the seventh inning. He became the first player born in Japan to reach 3,000, and joined Paul Molitor, his former hitting coach in Seattle, as the only ones to hit the mark with a triple.I wanted to see it go over the fence, but after I heard that Paul Molitor was the other person to do it I was glad it didnt go over, Suzuki said after sharing Champagne with his teammates in the clubhouse after the win. I have a special relationship with him and having something like this, that is the same thing he accomplished, makes it more special.Giancarlo Stanton hit his 24th homer and Christian Yelich and Mathis had three hits and three RBI each for the Marlins.Nolan Arenado homered twice and drove in five runs for Colorado. Arenado leads the NL in home runs (29) and RBI (87).Adam Conley (8-6) allowed six runs in five innings. Fernando Rodney worked the ninth for his first save since coming to Miami on June 30 and 18th overall.Jon Gray (8-5) was roughed up for eight runs and 10 hits in 3 2/3 innings.Suzuki was hitless in his first three at-bats of the game before he tagged Chris Rusin.Suzuki launched a long drive to right field that carried just beyond the reach of leaping Gerardo Parra, and breezed into third standing up.When I got that hit the burden was lifted off, Suzuki said.Third base coach Lorenzo Bundy hugged Suzuki as Miami players came out of the dugout to congratulate him. He waved his helmet to acknowledge the cheers at Coors Field.We gave him a big hug and told him he deserved it, said Dee Gordon, who was the first player to reach Suzuki as he stood on third. Thats what youre supposed to do. Show him his respect, show him that we respect his milestone.Suzuki was happy to share the moment with everyone. He appeared to become a little emotional when he was told fans at Safeco Field in Seattle stuck around after the Mariners game ended to watch him get 3,000.I dont have words for how wonderful that is for them to show that and support me, he said. To have that special moment to share with the fans there, I dont have any words how grateful I am.Hitting coach Barry Bonds gave him a hug as the celebration at third base ended, and Suzuki got another round of applause when he scored on Jeff Mathis single, as well as a hug from manager Don Mattingly.For me, its been an honor to watch him play, an honor to have managed him, Mattingly said. He honors our game the way he pplays, the way he prepares.dddddddddddd Everything he does is a tribute to the game of baseball. He shows our guys how youre supposed to do it.Suzuki gave the crowd a wave as he went into the dugout. He batted again in the ninth and drew a walk.Suzuki is in his 16th season in the majors. He got 1,278 hits while playing nine years in Japan before becoming the American League Rookie of the Year and MVP with Seattle in 2001.Greeted with cheers every time he came to bat, Suzuki struck out in the first inning, hit a comebacker in the third and grounded out to short in the fourth.Ive been feeling this for the last two weeks, not getting an opportunity to get in there and getting a pinch hit every night, that was tough, he said. I feel like I should have gotten this two years ago. It took a longer time than I thought it should have.At 42 years, 290 days he is the second-oldest player by three days over Ricky Henderson to reach the milestone. Only Cap Anson, who was 45 when he got his 3,000th hit in 1897, was older.Suzuki said he hopes his milestone helps more Japanese succeed in the majors.It hasnt been too long since Japanese players have started to come over here to play in the major leagues. There are still very few. Ive been able to get some hits. Were not there yet. Theres still more that we need to do as Japanese players.Hopefully this 3,000th hit will bring that bridge closer and maybe well be able to have the Japanese players and have the fans understand Japanese baseball is good baseball. Hopefully this did that and bring that closer.Rene Lachemann, Colorados catching coach, went over to give Suzuki a hug as he left the field after the game.TRAINERS ROOMMarlins: 3B Martin Prado left the game with one out in the sixth inning after fouling a ball off his left foot. He was replaced by Miguel Rojas, who inherited a 3-2 count and reached on an error by Arenado. Mattingly said X-rays showed no break.Rockies: Parra was activated from the 15-day DL and INF Rafael Ynoa was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque. Parra played right field on Sunday while OF Carlos Gonzalez rested his sore left ankle.MIAMI MOVEThe Marlins optioned RHP Nefi Ogando to Triple-A New Orleans to make room for LHP Hunter Cervenka. Miami acquired Cervenka from Atlanta for two minor league players on Saturday. It gives the Marlins two lefties in the bullpen.UP NEXTMarlins: Miami sends ace Jose Fernandez (12-6, 2.87) against San Franciscos Johnny Cueto on Monday to open a seven-day, six-game homestand.Rockies: Rookie LHP Tyler Anderson (4-3, 3.25) opens a two-game series against Texas. He will be opposed by Cole Hamels (12-3, 2.89). ' ' '
